Nassau County Strengthens Law Against Animal Abusers

MINEOLA, NY — Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman has signed a new anti-animal abuse law, which expands the definition of misdemeanor offenses involving animals.

The law penalizes offenders with up to one year in jail and fines up to $1,000, he said.

"It will make sure that those who abuse animals will not get to have animals," Blakeman said.

"This is a bill that will really protect animals," Legislator John Ferretti, who sponsored the legislation, said.

Individuals who are convicted of animal abuse are placed on a registry on the Nassau SPCA website. "The law extends the amount of time an animal abuser will be on the registry, from five years to 10 years on the first offense," Ferretti said.

Anyone on the registry will be unable to own an animal.

"This just gives us more tools to work with when we have animal abuse cases," Nassau District Attorney Anne Donnelly said.

The legislation significantly strengthens Nassau’s existing animal abuse law, passed in 2014.