M E M O R A N D U M
To: Honorable Mayor and Town Council
From: Mary Ann Mixon, Council Member, Seat 1
Date: March 15, 2017
Re: Supporting House Bill 871 Establishing Animal Abuser Registry
REQUEST
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A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL OF THE TOWN OF CUTLER BAY, FLORIDA, SUPPORTING FLORIDA HOUSE BILL 871 TO CREATE AN ANIMAL ABUSER REGISTRY; PROVIDING FOR TRANSMITTAL; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
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BACKGROUND AND ANALYSIS
Florida House Representatives Blaise Ingoglia (R-Spring Hill), Jared Moskowitz (D-Coral Springs), Jason Fischer (R-Jacksonville), Joseph Geller (D-Aventura), Ralph Massullo (D-Lecanto), and David Richardson (D-Miami Beach) have jointly filed Florida House Bill 871 to establish an Animal Abuser Registry, to prevent animals from being sold to or adopted by individuals who have been convicted of animal abuse. HB 871 creates a publicly accessible Animal Abuser Registry listing those convicted of felony crimes relating to animal cruelty. Pet dealers, animal shelters, and humane organizations will not be able to sell or allow animals to be adopted until they have verified that the person acquiring the animal is not on the animal abuse offender list.
The link between violence against animals and violence against human beings is well documented as individuals who mistreat, abuse or kill domestic animals often extend that behavior to humans in the form of domestic violence and child abuse. According to nationallinkcoalition.org, domestic violence and child abusers may kill, harm or threaten animals to exert dominance and power over their victims.
The Animal Abuser Registry would be similar to sex offender registries and requiring abusers to register with their local law enforcement agency enhances protection for potential animal and human victims by warning members of the community.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Town Council approve the attached Resolution supporting Florida House Bill 871 establishing an Animal Abuser Registry.