Senate committee backs statewide animal‑abuse registry for convicted abusers

Senate Bill 587, sponsored in committee by Senator Sean Still, would authorize the Prosecuting Attorney's Council to maintain a publicly searchable animal‑abuse registry for persons convicted of animal cruelty under the animal cruelty code.

Sen. Still told the committee the registry would apply only after conviction and referenced Section 16‑12‑4 of the animal cruelty code as the governing statute for the offense. He said the council would maintain the database subject to appropriations.

Jessica Rock of the Prosecuting Attorney's Council told the committee similar registries exist in other states such as Florida and Tennessee and said the registry could help animal shelters and members of the public avoid re‑adoption by convicted abusers. "I think it will be very helpful," she said, and called for continued work with legislative counsel to refine drafting.

Committee members asked no substantive questions during testimony, and the committee voted to pass SB 587 unanimously by voice vote.