Monroe County officials are proposing an animal abuse registry to promote public safety and protect animals.
County Executive Adam Bello, President Yversha Román and Legislators Jackie Smith, Michael Yudelson, Sean McCabe and Paul Dondorfer signed a memorandum calling on the legislature to consider enacting the law.
In the memorandum, county leaders described how animal cruelty continues to be a serious problem each year. They also found that individuals who abuse animals are statistically more likely to commit violent acts against humans.
The proposed registry would identify individuals residing in Monroe County convicted of animal abuse crimes that prevent them from adopting or purchasing pets. A person's name, address, date of birth and a photograph
will be included on the registry.
Individuals who have committed crimes such as poisoning, stealing, abandoning or torturing an animal will be required to register. They will remain on the animal abuse registry for 10 years following their release date or the date their judgment of conviction was made, whichever is later.
Those who are required to register will have to pay an annual fee of $50 to the Monroe County sheriff, which will be used to pay administrative and maintenance costs.
If an animal abuse offender fails to register, they would be guilty of a misdemeanor and could face penalties including up to one year in jail and fines of up to $1,000 for each day of noncompliance.
This proposal comes after the Ontario County Board of Supervisors approved an animal abuse registry on July 16. The New York State Humane Society shows that slightly more than half of the state’s 62 counties have such laws.
— Kerria Weaver works as the Government and You reporter for the Democrat and Chronicle, with a focus on how government actions affect communities and neighborhoods in Rochester and in Monroe County.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Monroe County leaders propose animal abuse registry
