Animal abuse registries proposed in many states

By on January 18, 2014

We have all heard of the registered sex offenders lists that appear in each state throughout the country, but now hear this- states like Pennsylvania are attempting to produce a similar list related to violence and abuse towards animals.

From MySanAntonio (TX)- Shivering, starving and unloved, abused and neglected animals too commonly make news in the Poconos.

Etched in the minds of many is the photo of Lexi, the Pike County dog whose owner bound her legs and muzzle tightly with duct tape and left her in a chicken coop.

Another dog named Lexi was discovered in Monroe County with more than 20 broken bones from abuse.

Just as heartbreaking: There are animals that will never make the news but are spending winter outside, cowering from the cold, dying for affection and a water bowl that has not frozen over.

“It’s not unique to the Poconos. It happens all over the state,” Rep. Mike Carroll, D-118, said of animal abuse.

His office receives many calls from citizens concerned about animal abuse.

That is why Carroll has co-sponsored a bill that calls for an animal abuser registry in Pennsylvania.

Similar registries have been proposed in 26 states, but none has succeeded in becoming a state law, said Chris Green, legislative affairs director at the Animal Legal Defense Fund.

However, a few counties in New York have made it law for animal abusers to be put on a list, Green said.

In Pennsylvania, the legislation, House Bill 265, would require convicted animal abusers to register with the county sheriff once a year for 15 years.

The sheriff would then inform every residence, school, humane society, animal shelter and any business within a half-mile radius of the animal abuser’s residence.

The state police would also get the abuser’s name and put it on an online, publicly searchable database of animal abusers, similar to the current Megan’s Law sex offender registry.

If the state law is passed, anyone registered on the list would be barred from owning an animal.

The article can be seen in its entirety here at MySanAntonio. Increasingly, government officials and lawmakers are taking the side of animals and animal advocates and this makes us at PetsInOmaha happy. Thought we know the process is laboring and time consuming, we are in favor of any measure that assures animals a safe environment. It is wonderful to see so many states, counties and communities taking a stand for animal welfare.

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