Animal Abuser Registry Created in Florida County

Hillsborough County, Florida, which includes the city of Tampa, has passed an animal abuser registry that will be effective November 1, 2016. The new ordinance will require people who have been convicted of animal abuse to register with the sheriff’s office and prohibit them from adopting companion animals in the future. Retailers and shelters will be required to consult the registry, and those wishing to buy an animal at a pet store must also sign an affidavit saying they are not on the abuser registry.

In spearheading the legislation, Commissioner Kevin Beckner noted that most people consider their dog or cat to be a family member and expressed his conviction that the registry will not only protect animals but also identify, and perhaps prevent, violent crime against humans as well. Although there is debate about the efficacy of animal abuser registries, they represent a growing trend and potential tool for advocates grappling with how best to curtail abuse against companion animals and prevent repeat offenses:

“The registries are part of widening efforts in the United States to punish and track animal abusers, who, research has shown, commit violence against people at higher rates than normal. All 50 states now have felony provisions for the gravest crimes against animals, although many offenses are still considered misdemeanors. The FBI has added animal cruelty to its list of Class A felonies, and this year began collecting data for such crimes the way it does for other serious offenses, including homicide. (Brulliard 2016).”

Although the list of cities and counties with animal abuser registries is growing, Tennessee currently has the only statewide registry. As with legislation banning the retail sale of dogs and cats, advocates thus far have been more successful at the city and county levels.

New York has been an early leader, with eight counties and New York City having passed animal abuser registries. Cook County, Illinois – home of Chicago and the 2^nd most populous county in the U.S. – passed an animal abuser registry in May 2016. Although efforts to pass a statewide animal abuser registry in Florida, “Dexter’s Law,” failed in 2012, advocates hope the new county registry will eventually be adopted statewide.

Further reading:

• Contorno, Steve. “Animal abuse registry approved in Hillsborough County barring abusers from adoption.” Tampa Bay Times. September 8, 2016.
• Andrews, Steve. “Despite political dog fight, Hillsborough approves animal abuse registry.” September 8, 2016.
• Brulliard, Karin. “Animal abusers are being registered like sex offenders in these jurisdictions.” The Washington Post. September 13, 2016.
• Dardick, Hal. “Animal abusers would be tracked under plan approved by Cook County panel.” Chicago Tribune. May 10, 2016.