Cayuga County is one step closer to creating an animal abuse registry.
On Tuesday, the Cayuga County Legislature voted to hold a public hearing on the proposed law that would create an animal abuse registry and prohibit those convicted of animal abuse in the county from adopting, buying, or obtaining animals from a shelter or seller. It would not be a violation of the law for offenders to own a service animal or live at the same residence as someone with a service animal.
If passed, the law would require those convicted of animal abuse to register with local law enforcement. Law enforcement would then provide members of the community, particularly shelters and pet sellers, with registry information. It could also warn potential employers of those applying for jobs where they would work with animals.
Under the proposed law, the registry would be created, managed, and maintained by the sheriff’s office or a designee. It would contain the names, residence information, photos, and specific crimes of offenders living in Cayuga County. It would be available online, along with links to other animal abuse registries in New York state.
Offenders would be placed on the registry for 15 years after release from incarceration or, if not sentenced to incarceration, the date of conviction. Offenders convicted of a subsequent animal abuse crime would be placed on the list for life.
Offenders will also need to pay $125 to the sheriff’s office at the time of registration for the registry’s administrative and maintenance fees.
If approved, the law would take effect immediately upon its filing with the Secretary of State and apply to those convicted on or after said date. Those failing to register would be charged with a misdemeanor and face a punishment of one year’s incarceration and/or a fine not to exceed $1,000. This is the same proposed punishment for offenders found to own animals.
Nick Lapresi is the executive director of the Finger Lakes SPCA of CNY, based in Auburn. Speaking with FLX Local Media, he said that the SPCA has worked with the Cayuga County Sheriff’s and District Attorney’s Offices on a proposed registry and fully supports its adoption.
“There is no place for animal abuse in the county. [The registry] is a step in the right direction,” said Lapresi.
The public hearing will be held on November 25 at 6:00p at the Ward O’Hara Ag Museum. It will also be broadcast on YouTube. During the hearing, interested individuals can call 315-294-8051 to comment.
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