Ball Bill Would Create Animal Abusers Registry

While New York’s Buster’s Law, passed in 1999 after a cat was doused in kerosene and lit on fire, makes animal cruelty a felony—there is no current record of offenders or law preventing the abuser from keeping other pets.

New York State Sen. Greg Ball said S2305A, a piece of legislation he is sponsoring that recently passed in the senate, will make sure that abusers won’t have the chance to hurt animals again.

“Buster’s Law was a landmark bill for our furry little friends,” said Ball. “This animal abuse registry will prevent repeat animal abuse offenders.”

The bill would require those that violate Buster’s Law to register his or her name and address, undergo a psychiatric evaluation and prevent them from owning a pet again.

The registry would be accessible to the public so those who sell or adopt out animals can check it before they give out animals.

“Persons who commit crimes against animals represent some of the worst kind of people, and often expand their carnage to their neighbors and the larger community,” said Ball. “Most people can agree that the level of respect and kindness shown for animals, creatures who cannot speak for themselves, or protect themselves and are easily abused and taken advantage of, is a fine predictor of how a person will treat their peers. Violent and cruel behavior towards animals, cannot and should not be tolerated.”

New York State Assemblyman Jim Tedisco is also sponsoring the bill, which has been sent to the Assembly.

“We’ve expanded the DNA database to help catch criminals and exonerate the innocent, and now we have an opportunity to advance additional public safety measures including protecting our pets from abuse and ensuring animal abusers don’t go on to hurt people,” said Tedisco. “Thanks to Senator Greg Ball for shepherding this bill through the Senate. This was a top priority at our NYS Animal Advocacy Day. Now we need to push the Assembly to protect all members of our family.”