Lawmakers in Suffolk County, New York, have strengthened the Animal Cruelty Act by making it a crime for convicted animal abusers to own pets.
The county council last week voted to establish a Class A misdemeanor charge for those found to own pets, according to the New York Post. New additions to the law impose fines of up to one year or $1,000 in prisons.
This expanded legislation enacted by Congress in 2010 and created the Animal Abuse Registration. The 2010 law was the first in the US.
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Lawmakers from Suffolk County, New York, have strengthened the Animal Cruelty Act to make it a crime to own the pets of people who handled animal cruelty. (Getty Images)
County Ed Romain signed the extended law Wednesday after telling reporters last week that he would “protect animals,” according to the NYP.
“Don't abuse animals,” he said. “We'll chase after you. We'll prosecute you and protect the animals.”
The Suffolk County Police Department and the District Attorney's Office maintain a Registrar, which currently lists 30 convicted animal abusers. Criminals will remain in the registry for ten years unless they are convicted again of animal abuse.
Those convicted of animal cruelty in the county were already prohibited from owning pets, but there were no penalties for violating the rules.
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The county council voted to establish a Class A misdemeanor of a convicted animal abuser in the area, which was found to own a pet. (Getty Images)
“We can finally close this loophole and further protect the animals,” said Suffolk MP Stephanie Bontempe. “In Suffolk County, we do not tolerate animal abuse or neglect. By closing this loophole, we ensure that offenders who ignore the law face consequences.”
“That shouldn't even be a problem, but I'm happy to get this law in the book,” she added.
The expanded law was signed days after dozens of dead cats were found inside a Long Island home, including freezers and boxed springs. Other cats were found to live with inadequate maintenance properties, which had urine and feces on the floor and walls.
Suffolk legislator Stephanie Bontempe sponsored the law. (Getty Images)
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Roy Gross, chief of the Suffolk County Animal Cruelty Prevention Association, welcomed the new law after fighting for years of strong penalties.
“For the first time, we actually have the power to take action against criminals repeatedly. Our hands were tied up before,” he told Newsday.
