Say 'Yes' to the Proposed Massachusetts Animal Abuse Registry!

Massachusetts law makers currently have an opportunity to crack down on animal cruelty. State leaders are considering the implementation of an animal abuse registry, which would be similar to a sex offenders registry.

The way it works is that anyone convicted of animal abuse would have to register their name, address and photograph with the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services, which would maintain the registry. This computerized list would then be available to breeders, shelters, and stores so that they can check it before sending an animal home with someone. If a merchant does not check the list before a sale or knowingly give an animal to someone on the list, they would be held responsible.  

Under the current proposal, drafted by Representative Steven Howitt, the registry would be paid for by the offenders who would be charged a $50 maintenance fee each year. At no extra cost to non-offending taxpayers, this proposed legislation has tremendous potential to curb the actions of people who habitually harm pets.

New York City started a citywide animal abuse registry in 2014, and the first statewide registry will go into effect on January 1, 2016 in Tennessee. Similar bills are being considered in Connecticut, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Please join me in asking the Massachusetts General Court to become the second state to approve a statewide animal abuse registry. Not only will this go a long way in protecting Massachusetts' animals, it could encourage other states to do so as well.

To Massachusetts General Court:


Thank you for considering the implementation of an animal abuse registry. If put into action, this registry has tremendous potential to curb the problem of animal abuse. Because pet shop owners and breeders would have access to the list, there would be substantially fewer animals sold to people with a history of neglecting or actively hurting their animals. We believe that it is entirely appropriate to require that merchants who sell live animals check the registry before every sale, and to hold them accountable for selling to known animal abusers. Please move this valuable instrument into law as quickly as possible. We thank you.

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