“3/02/2010, 1:20pm EST”
California may create animal abuse registry
Via SuperVegan, California legislators are set to begin weighing a bill that would create the nation’s first animal abuse registry modeled on widespread sex offender registries. The bill is being spearheaded by the Animal Legal Defense Fund and was introduced by State Senate majority leader Dean Florez.
The idea is simple and familiar: anybody convicted of felony abuse would be listed in a public database accessible to anyone with internet access. Animal shelter operators could check up on prospective pet owners, current pet owners could be aware of potential neighborhood threats, and some potential abusers would be deterred for fear of being shamed on a public list. Since non-human animal abusers are far more likely to commit violent crimes in general, the registry could also help law enforcement officials solve human abuse cases.
Bottom line: Without such a database, animal abusers essentially have free reign to abuse again and again. With it, many fewer animals will be brutalized.
Funding would come from a proposed two to three cent tax on pet food purchases, which would likely be considered a small and worthy trade by most responsible pet owners. Of course, pet food companies — despite all those commercials expressing a desire to keep your pet healthy and happy — are lining up against the bill for this reason.
If you live in California, find your state representatives here to call in your support. Otherwise, you can sign this petition urging your state lawmakers to enact similar legislation.
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