Livingston County lawmakers have approved a new law that publicly identifies people convicted of animal abuse and bars them from owning animals.
The County Board of Supervisors voted Jan. 28 to adopt a local law creating an online animal abuser registry. The law takes effect once filed with the New York secretary of state.
Under the law, county residents age 18 and older convicted of animal abuse crimes must register with the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office will maintain the registry on its website.
The registry will list an offender’s name, address, photograph, and details of their conviction. It will also include links to other animal abuser registries across New York State.
“With this law, the board is sending a clear message that the cruel treatment of animals is unacceptable in Livingston County,” said Board Chair David LeFeber.
LeFeber said the registry will help animal shelters, farms, pet sellers, and others involved in animal adoption or sales identify convicted abusers. The goal, he said, is to keep animals out of unsafe environments.
The law requires offenders to register within five business days of their release from jail or, if not incarcerated, from the date of conviction. Failing to comply is a Class A misdemeanor, punishable by fines starting at $1,000 or up to one year in jail.
For a first conviction, offenders will remain on the registry for 15 years. Anyone convicted of a subsequent animal abuse crime will remain on the registry for life.
The law also prohibits registered individuals from owning or harboring animals, even if the animal belongs to someone else. Any fines collected will support animal care through the Livingston County Humane Society or another approved animal welfare organization.
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