PA Lawmakers Targeting Animal Abusers

PENNSYLVANIA — A bipartisan trio of state lawmakers are seeking to establish a registry that keeps track of animal abusers.

Democratic state representatives Melissa Shusterman of Chester County and Scott Conklin of Centre County and Republican Kathleen Tomlinson of Bucks County plan to introducing legislation that would establish such a list.

"In 2015 – a full decade ago – Tennessee became the first state to adopt a statewide animal abuser registry, with at least one dozen other states and countless local governments introducing similar measures over the years," the trio wrote in a memo to colleagues.

"Unfortunately, Pennsylvania is not one of these states, allowing individuals convicted of animal cruelty to go undetected. With no way for the community to quickly check for a past history of abuse, offenders are given the opportunity to continue these heinous acts as they are able to purchase or adopt animals."

The pending bill would require individuals convicted of animal abuse crime to register their personal information and the offense for which they were convicted for 15 years, annually renewing their information. Each of the state's 67 county sheriff would be responsible for maintaining a local registry and forwarding all information to the Pennsylvania State Police to maintain a publicly accessible central registry.

The memo stated that the legislation is designed to "ensure that animal abusers are not permitted to continue inflicting harm...It is our duty to protect every Pennsylvanian, including our animal friends and family members who cannot speak for themselves."