It seems that this was a long time coming, but laws like this are better late than never. In jurisdictions across the United States, laws are being passed that require animal abusers to be listed in registries like sex offenders are.
That means in certain cities and counties across the country, the names of animal abusers are shown publicly on these databases, so you can find out if your neighbor had a history of violence against defenseless animals.
Photo Credit: Flickr,Josh Henderson
Tennessee is the only state that currently has its own state-wide registry, but cities like Chicago and New York City have local ones. In Tennessee, first-time offenders are required to be on the list for two years with another five years added for every further offense.
Suffolk County on Long Island was the first jurisdiction to create such a registry. Jon Cooper, the sponsor of the Long Island bill, said, “We know there is a very strong correlation between animal abuse and domestic violence. Almost every serial killer starts out by torturing animals, so in a strange sense we could end up protecting the lives of people.”
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Bills that propose registries have been popping up in many different parts of the country, including recently in Missouri and in the Louisville, Kentucky, metro area. Another local area bill just passed in Volusia County, Florida.
Let’s see these types of law and these kinds of registries spread from coast to coast! There’s no logical reason anyone should oppose a measure like that.
