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We are pleased to tell you fans that the New York State Senate has just passed a bill requiring convicted animal abusers to be registered with the state. Here is the press release from the NY Senate’s official website:
Albany, N.Y. – (6/18/13) – Senator Greg Ball (R,C,I-Patterson) announced that the New York State Senate has passed S2305A, legislation that will require those that violate Buster’s Law by abusing animals, register his or her name and address with the division of criminal justice services, undergo a psychiatric evaluation and will also ban them from ever owning a pet again.
Buster’s Law, which was passed in 1999, made animal cruelty in New York State a felony. The law was named after a cat that was doused in kerosene and lit on fire in 1997. Now Senator Ball has passed a bill in the Senate to take “Buster’s Law” even further and create an animal abuse registry.
The animal abusers registry will contain the names and addresses of persons convicted of violating Buster’s Law in New York State. By maintaining the registry with current information and providing easy accessibility to the public, those involved in the sale or adoption of animals can refer to the registry before allowing an individual to take ownership of an animal.
“Buster’s Law was a landmark bill for our furry little friends. This animal abuse registry will prevent repeat animal abuse offenders,” said Senator Greg Ball. “Persons who commit crimes against animals represent some of the worst kind of people, and often expand their carnage to their neighbors and the larger community. Most people can agree that the level of respect and kindness shown for animals, creatures who cannot speak for themselves, or protect themselves and are easily abused and taken advantage of, is a fine predictor of how a person will treat their peers. Violent and cruel behavior towards animals, cannot and should not be tolerated.”
As there are laws to protect children and the elderly from abuse, it is important to extend this means of protection to animals as well. Much like Megan’s Law was designed to prevent sex offenders from repeating crimes against children, this legislation will serve to prevent animal abusers from committing repeat offenses.
The bill has been sent to the assembly where it is sponsored by Assemblyman Jim Tedisco (R,C,I-Glenville).
“As legislators, we can walk and chew gum at the same time. We’ve passed three consecutive on-time budgets, cut taxes for middle class families and begun to help get New York working. We’ve expanded the DNA database to help catch criminals and exonerate the innocent, and now we have an opportunity to advance additional public safety measures including protecting our pets from abuse and ensuring animal abusers don’t go on to hurt people,” said Assemblyman Tedisco, the driving force behind passage of the landmark Buster’s Law and the sponsor of the Buster’s Law registry in the Assembly. “Thanks to Senator Greg Ball for shepherding this bill through the Senate. This was a top priority at our NYS Animal Advocacy Day. Now we need to push the Assembly to protect all members of our family.”
