Two North Carolina state senators have proposed a bill to reduce animal abuse in their state. They hope to create an online registry, similar to those used to track sex offenders, to prevent convicted abusers from getting their hands on more pets.
The registry would include offenders’ full names, mugshots and “other identifying information” shelter and rescue workers could review before approving an adoption.
The North Carolina Animal Abuser Registry Act was introduced last week. If approved, first time offenders would be placed on the registry “for two years following the date of conviction.” Second offenders would be placed on the registry for five years.
In addition to being placed on the registry, the bill would also require repeat offenders to give up any pets in their possession and prohibit them from owning an animal for “up to five years from the date of the conviction.”
“If you’ve been convicted twice, you don’t need to own any more animals. It’s just that simple,” Nicole Kincaid, the Program Director of Cause for Paws of North Carolina, said in an interview with ABC 11 News.
Toledo, United States.
