Tennessee has passed legislation aimed at preventing animal abusers from being able to re-offend.
The animal abuser registry is modeled after current sex-offender databases that are public. It will list those who have been convicted of aggravated animal cruelty, felony animal fighting and bestiality offenses.
The site will list the abuser’s full legal name and photo for two-years. If the abuser is convicted again, the offender will remain on the registry for five-years.
Proponents say the law will not only serve as a deterrent to committing such crimes, but the registry will inform shelters and rescues that offenders are not fit to adopt an animal.
Tennessee is one of nearly a dozen states that considered legislation this year to create animal-abuse registries. While Tennessee’s is the first statewide registry, several local governments have put in place similar measures. Included are three counties in New York, including New York City.
The bill was signed into law by Governor Bill Haslam this month. The animal-abuser registry will be available starting January 1, 2016.
