Corresponding with the annual Animal Advocacy Day, Assemblyman David DiPietro (R,C-East Aurora) has introduced Assembly Bill 7363, which would create an animal abuse registry and prevent those convicted of animal abuses from possessing, adopting, owning, purchasing or exercising control over any animal.

“On Animal Advocacy Day, we must ask ourselves, Is there anything we can do for animals better than preventing further abuse?” DiPietro asked. “If you are convicted of doing harm to an animal, you should be stripped of the opportunity to own animals. The abuse of animals is something we should strive to eliminate from our society, and I believe the best way to limit the cases is to prevent repeat offenders. I hope my colleagues in the Assembly will join me in protecting innocent animals.”

Aside from the creation of this registry, the bill would require animal shelters and pet dealers consult the registry before surrendering an animal to anyone. In order for a convicted animal abuser to regain the ability to own an animal, a court must decide on whether or not it is safe for the animal to be in that person’s possession.

New York State Animal Advocacy Day is a bi-partisan event sponsored by Assemblyman Jim Tedisco and State Senator Greg Ball in which members of the Assembly and Senate are brought together to protect animals from abuse.

Assembly Bill 7363 has been referred to the Assembly Agriculture Committee. If you support Assemblyman DiPietro’s legislation, please contact his district office at (585) 786-0180. Like the assemblyman on Facebook as Assemblyman David DiPietro.