County legislators support ‘Buster’s Law’ creating state-wide registry of animal abusers
ALBION – The Orleans County Legislature is backing an effort to create a state-wide registry of people convicted of animal cruelty.
A bill for “Buster’s Law” in the State Senate has been introduced by Sen. James Tedisco, a Republican for the the 44th District.
Tedisco’s Senate Bill 1563 would amend the Agriculture and Markets Law to establish a statewide animal cruelty registry maintained by the Division of Criminal Justice Services.
Buster’s Law was named after Buster, a cat, was intentionally burned to death in Schenectady in 1997. The perpetrator who poured kerosene on the cat was later imprisoned for other crimes, including attempted rape, sexual abuse and unlawful imprisonment of a 12-year-old girl.
Buster’s Bill in 1999 made unjustifiable, intentional and violent acts of cruelty to companion animals a Class E felony crime. Tedisco and legislators have said animal cruelty offenses have long been recognized as indicators of broader patterns of violent behavior.
The proposed revision to Buster’s Law creates the state-wide registrythat would be made available in print and electronic form to law enforcement entities, district attorneys, humane societies, societies for the prevention of cruelty to animals, animal control officers, dog or cat protective associations, breeders, animal rescues, and pet stores conducting business in New York.
The bill would prohibit individuals required to register from owning companion animals or working in facilities where companion animals are present, including shelters, pounds, pet stores and zoos.
Orleans County legislators noted that counties are responsible for supporting animal control services, public safety functions, district attorney offices, and coordination with local humane societies and SPCA organizations. Counties would benefit from improved access to accurate, centralized information regarding individuals convicted of animal cruelty offenses, legisators said last week when they voted to support the registry.
