Florida Bill Aims For Animal Cruelty Registry To Keep Pets Out Of Abusers' Hands
A Florida bill under consideration by lawmakers would establish a public animal abuse registry to help keep offenders from owning pets in the future.
The bill SB 494 would require that the state Department of Law Enforcement post such a registry on its website , including the names of people who were convicted of or pleaded guilty to animal cruelty, Local 10 Orlando news partner WKMG reports .
Under current rules, animal cruelty can apply to the following kinds of situations:
- Overworking or overloading an animal
- Unnecessarily mutilating or killing an animal
- Depriving an animal of necessary shelter or sustenance
- Intentionally tripping or lassoing the legs of a horse for entertainment
In effect, the legislation would give adoption shelters and pet breeders a way to screen prospective pet owners, which could help improve the ability of these groups to find safe homes for these animals.
The bill's sponsor - state Sen. Tom Leek R-Ormond Beach - was also responsible for introducing another piece of legislation in 2018 designed to protect pets, dubbed " Ponce's Law ."