Animal Abusers Beware

   By drodriguez  Mar 19, 2010
16

Abusing a helpless animal is often viewed as one of the lowest and cruelest things a person can do.  Legislators in California are working on putting together something entirely new to combat against offenders who have caused harm to animals, an animal-abuser registry.  The way the animal-abuser registry would work is very similar to how the sex offender registry works in that it will keep a public list of known and convicted abusers of animals.  California was the first state to adopt the sex offender registry and is now looking to be the first for the animal-abuser registry.

A recent article from Time magazine reported about the pull for the abuser list.  The main goal of the animal-abuser registry would be to allow animal adoption agencies and shelters access to a list of people they should restrict from adopting pets. 

Aside from reporting about people who maim and kill animals, the bill would also help to publicly report those who have taken part in animal-fighting rings and people who have the tendency to hoard multiple animals in unsanitary conditions.  Proponents of the registry also claim the registry will help law enforcement detect people who may have the tendency to harm others since abusing animals can be a precursor to violence to humans. 

Animal abusers may think twice about harming their pets if they know they could one day be added to a list of offenders for all the world to see.  Authors of the bill are hopeful that it will pass, but they may have to get creative in order to find a way to fund the registry in the failing economy.

What do you think of the idea of having an animal-abuser registry?

Is this something you would like to see in your state some day?

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Ellayem by Ellayem | Cincinnati, OH
Mar 19, 2010

I think this is a fantastic idea for all of the reasons mentioned. I would live to see every state adopt this registry.