Cook County Board May Consider Registry For Animal Abusers
(CBS) -- Sex offenders are required to be listed on a registry. Now, two Cook County commissioners want a similar registry for convicted animal abusers.
County commissioners John Fritchey and Luis Arroyo say similar registries already exist elsewhere, including the entire state of Tennessee.
"We've seen time and time again that people who abuse animals not only tend to be repeat offenders, but when you see this kind of behavior, especially in younger individuals, it also leads to crimes against other people as they get older," Fritchey says.
The measure would have teeth. Known abusers who obtain a pet, or any pet shop, rescue or individual caught selling an abuser a pet would be subject to fines up to $5,000. Straw purchasers also would be subject to fines of up to $5,000.
Those who fail to register could be slapped with a $2,000 fine.
Fritchey hopes to win Cook County Board approval next month and have the registry up and running by year's end.
Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart's office would maintain the registry, and Fritchey said sheriff's personnel have been very helpful in writing the proposed ordinance.
