One too many videos of violence against animals have gone viral on the internet over the years. Anti-cruelty organizations like PETA have done several campaigns in an effort to help animals live cruelty-free lives. With the growing number of cases, an initiative like an Animal-Abuse Registry is a huge step forward. Similar to the sex-offenders registry, animal abusers will be fined a $50 registration fee and have to provide a recent photo, name, aliases, dates of birth, addresses and crime details. This registry will serve as a tool for pet shops and adoption centers to do a background check of potential owners. First time offenders will be listed for 2 years and an additional 5 years for subsequent offenses. Those who fail to register will face a year in prison and be fined up to $1000.
Suffolk County legislator Jon Cooper, said that “There is a very strong correlation between animal abuse and domestic violence, and almost every serial killer starts out by torturing animals, so in a strange sense we could end up protecting the lives of people.”
With the state of Tennessee being the first to introduce such a registry on January 2016, it has spread in popularity.
Cities like New York and Cook County, Illinois have joined the initiative, even though they have the register at a local level.
According to Suffolk County legislator Jon Cooper, studies have shown that many cases of domestic violence are correlated with animal abuse.
He pointed out that many violent people often start out with torturing animals, and that this may also be considered a preventative measure against violence to people.
