Proud day... Suffolk County the first in the nation to create an animal abuser registry!

I saw an article in Newsday over a month ago about this and wrote to them and Legislator Jon Cooper to commend them on the story/idea. They've been updating me via email and I couldn't make it yesterday to the hearing, but it was APPROVED!

From Newsday:

Suffolk lawmakers approved a measure Tuesday making the county the first in the nation to create an animal abuse registry - a list that would identify those convicted of mistreating animals.

"There are sick individuals out there who are preying on innocent animals," said Legis. Jon Cooper (D-Lloyd Harbor), sponsor of the bill. County Executive Steve Levy said he will sign the law, aides said.

Passage came shortly after a companion measure was aired at a public hearing Tuesday that would ban shelters and pet stores from selling or adopting to those people listed on the registry.

Under the measure passed Tuesday, a Suffolk resident older than 18 who is convicted of animal abuse would be required to file their name, address and photo with the registry and stay on the list for five years. It will be administered without cost to the county by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. It will be publicly available.

Those convicted of animal abuse crimes would also stay on the list for an additional five years for any subsequent conviction. The registry would only cover those convicted of abuse crimes. Those on the list would also have to pay a $50 annual fee to help fund the cost of maintaining the registry.

Stephan Otto, legal affairs director of the Animal Legal Defense Fund based in Oregon, said Suffolk is the first municipality nationwide to adopt an animal abuse registry and the county's move will help spur efforts elsewhere. Similar bills have been defeated in California and Tennessee, but similar legislation is pending in Albany.

"In story after heartbreaking story, abusers repeat their violent crimes against helpless animals, and often go on to victimize people as well," said Otto. "Suffolk County residents. . . . can breathe a little easier today, as they celebrate this historic vote for animals."

Roy Gross, SPCA's chief of department, said there could be several dozen offenders on the registry at any one time, noting that in 2009, 10 individuals were brought up on abuse charges. So far this year, there have been 17. As of Sept. 10, he said there were charges involving the abuse of 362 animals this year and his agency has seized 500 animals.

Among those who appeared at the county legislature before the vote was a rescued dog named Justin, near death, undernourished and weighing only 19 pounds when SPCA officials saved him in May.

"We call him Justin because we found him 'Just in time,' " said Regina Benfonte, a SPCA agent who has adopted the pup, who now weighs a healthy 55 pounds.

http://www.newsday.com/long-island/suffolk/suffolk-first-in-u-s-to-create-animal-abuse-registry-1.2355389

Re: Proud day... Suffolk County the first in the nation to create an animal abuser registry!

I just realized, they don't mention that there is also a companion bill to prohibit pet stores and shelters from allowing anyone on the list to buy or adopt an animal coming up too!

Here are those details:

Section 1. Legislative Intent.

This Legislature hereby finds and determines that animal cruelty is a serious problem, resulting in the abuse of thousands of animals each year in the United States.

This Legislature also finds and determines that Suffolk County is taking a leading role in protecting animals from abuse by proposing an online registry containing identifying information of persons convicted of animal abuse crimes.

This Legislature further finds and determines that people who have abused animals in the past are likely to do so in the future, with 100% recidivism rates for certain types of abuse, like animal hoarding.

This Legislature finds that animals in need of homes should be protected from potential abusers.

This Legislature determines that persons listed on the Animal Abuser Registry should not be eligible to purchase or adopt any animal in Suffolk County.

This Legislature also finds that by creating an Animal Abuser Registry, Suffolk County has provided local animal shelters and pet dealers with access to important information about potential clients.

This Legislature further finds that local animal shelters and pet dealers should check the names of potential purchasers or adopters against the County’s Animal Abuser Registry, to prevent animal abusers from purchasing or adopting potential victims.

Therefore, the purpose of this law is to prohibit pet dealers and animal shelters from making sales or allowing adoptions of animals to persons appearing on the Animal Abuser Registry.
Section 2. Definitions.

As used in this law, the following terms shall have the meanings indicated:

“ANIMAL SHELTER” shall mean any public or privately owned organization in Suffolk County which maintains property, buildings or structures for the purpose of harboring animals which may be stray, unwanted, lost, abandoned or abused and seeks to find appropriate permanent homes for such animals. For the purpose of this law, the term “animal shelter” shall not apply to a facility commonly known as a "boarding kennel," where the ownership of the animal is not transferred; a facility commonly known as a "pet store," where animals are offered for sale as all or part of a business; an animal hospital owned, operated or supervised by a licensed veterinarian; or a facility where the owner or operator is licensed by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation as a nuisance wildlife control agent or wildlife rehabilitator.

“PERSON” shall mean any natural individual.

“PET DEALER” shall mean any individual, firm, partnership, corporation, company or other entity which offer animals for sale.

Section 3. Requirements.

Any animal shelter or pet dealer operating in Suffolk County shall check the name of any person seeking to purchase or adopt an animal against the Animal Abuser Registry.

Section 4. Prohibitions.

No animal shelter or pet dealer operating in Suffolk County shall knowingly sell, offer, deliver or provide an animal to any person registered on the Suffolk County Animal Abuser Registry.

Section 5. Penalties.

Any animal shelter or pet dealer who violates this law shall be guilty of a violation and subject to a fine of five hundred dollars ($500.00).

Section 6. Applicability.

This law shall apply to all actions occurring on or after the effective date of this law.

Section 7. Severability.

If any clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section, or part of this law or the application thereof to any person, individual, corporation, firm, partnership, entity, or circumstance shall be adjudged by any court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid or unconstitutional, such order or judgment shall not affect, impair, or invalidate the remainder thereof, but shall be confined in its operation to the clause, sentence, paragraph, subdivision, section, or part of this law, or in its application to the person, individual, corporation, firm, partnership, entity, or circumstance directly involved in the controversy in which such order or judgment shall be rendered.

Section 8. SEQRA Determination.

This Legislature, being the State Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQRA) lead agency, hereby finds and determines that this law constitutes a Type II action pursuant to Section 617.5(c)(20), (21), and/or (27) of Title 6 of the NEW YORK CODE OF RULES AND REGULATIONS (6 NYCRR) and within the meaning of Section 8-0109(2) of the NEW YORK ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION LAW as a promulgation of regulations, rules, policies, procedures, and legislative decisions in connection with continuing agency administration, management and information collection. The Suffolk County Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) is hereby directed to circulate any appropriate SEQRA notices of determination of non-applicability or non-significance in accordance with this law.

Section 9. Effective Date.

This law shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth (180th) day following its filing in the Office of the Secretary of State.

Re: Proud day... Suffolk County the first in the nation to create an animal abuser registry!

This just made my day!!!

AMAZING!! I'm sooo beyond thrilled to read this!!

I can't wait for the city to pass it. I live in Queens and work in Manhattan. So I'd really love to see this go into affect in those areas as well... actually, I would love to see it nation wide!!!!

It's a major start though!!!

Re: Proud day... Suffolk County the first in the nation to create an animal abuser registry!

Re: Proud day... Suffolk County the first in the nation to create an animal abuser registry!

I think they need to hear from us that they need to pay attention to this.

They made a VERY easy form to email straight to our Senators based on our zip code here:

http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5154/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=1683

It just takes a minute!

Re: Proud day... Suffolk County the first in the nation to create an animal abuser registry!

I read that this am in the paper. That is a very good thing!!

Re: Proud day... Suffolk County the first in the nation to create an animal abuser registry!

Posted by greenfreak

I think they need to hear from us that they need to pay attention to this.

They made a VERY easy form to email straight to our Senators based on our zip code here:

http://org2.democracyinaction.org/o/5154/p/dia/action/public/?action_KEY=1683

It just takes a minute!

Re: Proud day... Suffolk County the first in the nation to create an animal abuser registry!

Yaaaaay!!!

Re: Proud day... Suffolk County the first in the nation to create an animal abuser registry!

Re: Proud day... Suffolk County the first in the nation to create an animal abuser registry!

this needs a like button!

Message edited 10/13/2010 6:15:56 PM.

Re: Proud day... Suffolk County the first in the nation to create an animal abuser registry!

Posted by MamaLeen

Posted by MrsKS

This just made my day!!!

AMAZING!! I'm sooo beyond thrilled to read this!!

Me too!!

Re: Proud day... Suffolk County the first in the nation to create an animal abuser registry!

Re: Proud day... Suffolk County the first in the nation to create an animal abuser registry!

Woohoo! This is truly amazing!

Re: Proud day... Suffolk County the first in the nation to create an animal abuser registry!

Yes, even more proud to be a Suffolk resident now!!!!

Re: Proud day... Suffolk County the first in the nation to create an animal abuser registry!

thats great

Re: Proud day... Suffolk County the first in the nation to create an animal abuser registry!

Re: Proud day... Suffolk County the first in the nation to create an animal abuser registry!

This is amazing!! I'm so happy to read this!!!!!

Re: Proud day... Suffolk County the first in the nation to create an animal abuser registry!

Re: Proud day... Suffolk County the first in the nation to create an animal abuser registry!

I hope it is overridden. Some people are just disgusting.

Re: Proud day... Suffolk County the first in the nation to create an animal abuser registry!

Re: Proud day... Suffolk County the first in the nation to create an animal abuser registry!

Posted by MrsKS

This just made my day!!!

AMAZING!! I'm sooo beyond thrilled to read this!!

I can't wait for the city to pass it. I live in Queens and work in Manhattan. So I'd really love to see this go into affect in those areas as well... actually, I would love to see it nation wide!!!!

It's a major start though!!!

Re: Proud day... Suffolk County the first in the nation to create an animal abuser registry!