Putnam Legislators Examine Proposed Animal Abuse Registry
Putnam County SPCA Chief Kenneth Ross is proposing the creation of a registry of convicted animal abusers.
Ross discussed his proposal during the May 13 county Legislature’s Rules, Enactments and Intergovernmental Relations Committee meeting.
Placement on the animal cruelty registry, which would be posted online, would prohibit an animal abuser from obtaining a pet for a period of 10 years. Pet shop owners would need to check the registry prior to selling an animal under Ross’ proposal.
Ross told the committee he was basing his proposal on similar laws on the books in other parts of the state.
The proposal would also bar anyone from having a pet if they live in a household with a person on the registry, even if the person seeking to acquire a pet has not abused animals themselves, Ross said.
Individuals placed on the registry would pay a $50 fee unless they couldn’t afford it, Ross said. Legislators who attended last week’s meeting generally agreed with the registry concept.
Legislature Chairman Carl Albano said “a lot of work” on the language of the legislation would have to be done by the Law Department before it could be voted on.
