Legislators review draft animal-abuser registry local law for Allegany County

A draft local law to create an Allegany County animal-abuser registry was presented and discussed at the Public Safety Committee meeting on June 4.

The proposal, introduced to the committee by county staff member Carol (presenting the draft), would require people convicted in Allegany County of enumerated animal-abuse crimes under New York State law to register online. The sheriff’s office would host the registry, which the draft says would remain public for 20 years after a person’s release from incarceration or the date of conviction or a signed voluntary placement agreement. The draft sets a $125 registration fee and requires registration within five days of release or conviction.

Committee members pressed staff on key details and logistics. They asked whether the registry would apply retroactively (Carol said it would start on the law’s effective date) and whether an offender convicted elsewhere who later moves into Allegany County would automatically appear on the county list (Carol said the registry would not automatically import other counties’ entries but would include links to other counties’ registries so the public could check them). Legislator Hanchett and Sheriff Scott Ciccarello were thanked in the presentation as local champions who helped bring the proposal forward.

The draft lays out prohibited acts: any person listed as an animal-abuse offender would be barred from possessing, owning, adopting or purchasing animals from any shelter, pet seller or other entity located in Allegany County; shelters or sellers would be required to check the registry before transferring animals to a new owner. The draft makes exceptions for service animals for people with disabilities. Penalties in the draft include misdemeanor charges for offenders who fail to register (up to one year in jail or a fine up to $5,000 or both) and misdemeanor penalties for offenders who possess or purchase animals in violation of the registry restrictions (the draft references fines up to $10,000 or incarceration). The draft makes a separate, lower-level “violation” for shelters or sellers who knowingly or recklessly transfer animals to a listed offender; the draft currently does not attach a monetary penalty to that specific violation.

The committee reviewed implementation timing: staff recommended the law be completed through the committee process in July and go to a public hearing in late August, with a potential adoption date after the hearing (the presenter described a timeline that would make the law effective January 1, 2026, to allow the sheriff’s office and district attorney time to set up procedures). Several legislators asked staff to research whether the draft should add a penalty for sellers who violate the check requirement, and whether reciprocal arrangements with neighboring counties would be possible.

No vote was taken on the draft at the committee meeting; members were invited to submit edits before the committee’s July meeting when the draft would be prepared for a resolution setting a public hearing.