ALBANY, N.Y. - Albany County is looking to be the second county statewide to create an animal abuse registry.
The legislation to create a registry of convicted animal abusers was introduced Wednesday by Albany County Legislator Bryan Clenahan.
The only other New York county to have such registry is Suffolk County, which was the nation's first animal abuse registry.
The law would say that anyone convicted of animal cruelty in Albany County would need to register giving their name, current address, photograph and pay an annual fee to the Sheriff's Department.
One conviction would put the abuser on the registry for ten years; two convictions would put the abuser on the registry for life.
The Mohawk Hudson Humane Society would also maintain the database which would be accessible to animal shelters, pet stores and breeders in Albany County.
Anyone who sold or adopted a pet to a person in the database would be fined.
"This is an essential step forward for protecting animals in Albany County," Brad Shear, Executive Director of the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, said. He continued, "The state's penalties for animal abusers are minimal at best. After a short period of time, abusers can start getting animals again. The registry will help prevent abusers from finding new victims."
There will be a public hearing for the law on Tuesday, September 27 at 7:15pm at the County Legislative Offices, 112 State Street, for members of the public to attend.
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