Nation's First Animal Abuse Offender Registry

October 12, 2010 - The Nation's first Animal Abuse Offender Registry has finally been put into action. Suffolk County, on the eastern half of Long Island, has passed a law requiring convicted abusers to pay a $50 fine which will fund the administration of the database. Offenders must also supply authorities with their address, a head and shoulders photograph and any aliases. Those convicted will remain on the registry for five years. Those who do not register can spend a year in jail and receive a fine of up to $1,000. The Suffolk County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals will administer the database.

The online database will be available to the public so that pet owners can find if someone near them is on it. Many animal abusers have been known to steal neighbors' pets. The bill's sponsor, Suffolk County Legislator Jon Cooper, is also working on pushing legislation that would force shelters, pet shops or breeders from selling animals to anyone on this registry.

Many states of introduced legislation to create similar registries, but Suffolk County is the first to pass such a law. There are high hopes that many more states will follow suit. Many feel the registry will become as important to the protection of animals as Megan's Law registries have come to protect children.

*Read the bill http://legis.suffolkcountyny.gov/Resos2010/i1879-10.pdf