The Oneida County Board of Legislators on Wednesday unanimously passed a law creating an animal abuser registry in the county. Anyone convicted of a crime against an animal, misdemeanor or felony, will have their name placed on the registry.
"For those offenders, it's gonna be more than just the crime and penalty. You're gonna be registered just often like child abuse and sex offenders and be on a public registry people can look at," said Oneida County Executive, Anthony Picente, Jr. Picente hopes the registry will empower owners and sellers.
"It's also a law that will protect owners and sellers from selling dogs and cats and other dometics to people who have abused animals in the past," said Picente.
The law also prohibits ownership for 15 years after one offense.
"And then if you're convicted a second time, I believe it is permanent," said County Attorney, Peter Rayhill.
Once the registry is up and running and there are names on it, it will be available on the Sheriff's Department website.
