Dutchess next county to develop animal abuse registry

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POUGHKEEPSIE – Dutchess County appears set to become the next county in the region to create an animal abuse registry and an animal tethering law.

Several Republican legislators have collaborated by County Executive Marcus Molinaro to draft a plan to enhance animal protections. The county SPCA is onboard with the proposal.

The animal abuse registry wound require persons who have been convicted of certain animal abuse crimes to be barred from owning or residing with an animal for period of 15 years and to register with the Dutchess County Sheriff’s Office.

Any person or entity transferring the ownership of an animal will be required to inspect the registry to see if the person seeking the ownership is listed.

Orange County, which created its registry in 2015, currently has nine people registered. Ulster County also has such a registry.

The proposed tethering law would create certain restrictions for when and how a dog could be tethered outside a person’s home. The officials’ concerns deal with an animal being susceptible to adverse weather conditions as well as unwanted human interaction that can lead to mental and physical health issues.

“For many, a pet is a member of the family to be loved and cared for,” said Molinaro “Unfortunately, not all are adopted into such warm and caring environments. Even worse, animal abusers often have a high risk of re-offending or escalating their violence.”

 

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