New Animal Cruelty and Rights Legislation to Be Introduced

A lawmaker in Connecticut wants to create an animal abuser list, something that is similar to the registry for sex offenders, and hopes there will be a public hearing soon.

“It’s something people deal with on a daily basis,” 47th Assembly District Representative Chris Davis said. “There are victims to this crime. It’s our pets. They’re members of our families.”

This type of registry is already in place in other parts of the country, including in Westchester and Suffolk counties in New York, and provides an easily accessible database for adoption agencies and organizations like the Connecticut Humane Society to verify if a person has a history of mistreating pets.

Kevin Peloquin and his wife, who have Bertie, is half Labradoodle-half golden doodle, support the idea.

“People should know where these animals live so they can keep their animals away from them,” Peloquin, of Newington, said.

The Connecticut Humane Society believes animal cruelty is wrong.

“Animal protection is extremely important. We are pleased that our government officials also see the merits and have introduced several important animal protection and anti-cruelty bills to the 2013 Legislative Session,” the organization said.

Cyndy Reaves, of Rocky Hill, is a lifelong dog owner and thinks the proposal is something worth looking into.

“There are just looking for love. They have unconditional love for their owners,” Reaves said.

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