Picente Signs Animal Abuser Registry Into Law

Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente has signed the County's Animal Abuser Registry into law.

Picente signed the law on Wednesday following a public hearing.

“I am proud to say that today, animals are safer in Oneida County,” Picente said. “The signing of this Animal Abuser Registry is the culmination of months of collaboration and hard work between many valued partners including Sheriff Rob Maciol, District Attorney Scott McNamara, the Board of Legislators and our County Attorney’s Office. With this new law in the books we are putting those who seek to harm defenseless animals on notice that they can no longer hide from their intolerable acts.”

The online registry will identify individuals in Oneida County who have been convicted of animal abuse to prevent them from purchasing or obtaining animal from any animal shelter or pet seller.

Those individuals will remain on the list for 15 years.

The registry will be managed and maintained by the Sheriff's Office.

The Animal Abuser Registry Law will be filed with New York State within the next 20 days, at which point it will officially go into effect.