Success: New Animal Abuse Registry Created

Target: Scott Maddox, Tallahassee City Commissioner

Goal: Welcome the creation of an animal abuse registry in Tallahassee, Florida.

Animal rights campaigners have long complained that cases of animal abuse all too often aren’t taken that seriously. Even when prosecution takes place, perpetrators get off with relatively light sentences compared to many other crimes. Moreover, there’s a general sense that animal abuse simply isn’t much of a big deal. This isn’t so in Tallahassee, Florida, where a new animal abuse registry has just been approved by the city commission.

The idea of an animal abuse registry is simple: to provide the public with an open record of individuals guilty of animal abuse. The registry will be available online, and cover both felonies and misdemeanors. According to City Commissioner Scott Maddox, the aim of the registry “is to increase public awareness of animal crimes.”

“We have already seen a substantial increase in animal cruelty cases entering the process as criminal cases instead of just civil citations. Last year’s 26 criminal cases – involving 28 animals and resulting in 21 arrests – represents more than the cumulative total criminal cases for the prior five to eight years,” Commissioner Maddox explained in an article for the Tallahassee Democrat.

The new registry won’t just raise awareness, though. It’ll also help members of the public keep offenders away from animals. Employers at any workplace with animals can now use the registry to check if potential recruits have a history of abuse. Meanwhile, pet shops, shelters and private vendors can also use the registry to confirm whether a client has ever abused a pet. As Maddox put it, “This is just one weapon in our ever-strengthening arsenal to combat animal cruelty and its related domestic and child abuse.”

This registry was only made possible thanks to the hard work of animal rights campaigners, and public demand including petitions like this one on ForceChange.

If you believe this registry is a great idea, then please take a moment to thank the city commission for passing this initiative.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Commissioner Maddox,

We would like to thank the Tallahassee City Commission for establishing an animal abuse registry. Much like a sex offender registry, this new initiative will allow the people of Tallahassee to access a database of individuals with a history of animal abuse. With this new registry in place, it’ll be harder than ever for animal abusers to be put into workplaces where they could repeat their abuse. Likewise, animal vendors like pet shops and shelters can screen clients for animal abusers.

This registry makes the Tallahassee community both safer and more humane. It’s also a big step forward for the fight against domestic violence. Studies have long proved a clear link between animal abuse and family violence, with the former often being a precursor of the latter. Therefore, by tackling animal abuse, the Tallahassee City Commission has likewise struck a blow against domestic violence.

We therefore extend our sincere gratitude to the Tallahassee City Commission, and urge you to continue working for a better, more humane society.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo Credit: Geralt