Tennessee Legislators Want List of Animal Abusers Added to TBI website
Darren Jernigan, State Rep, District 60,"It’s not like a sexual registry where the offender has to travel around or report to law enforcement or where they live, it’s just more of a database".
Under the Bill court clerks must forward judgements and date of birth’s of felony convicted animal offenders to the TBI list within 21 days.
The Humane Educational Society tells News 12 this will make it easier for them to isolate animal abusers who are trying to adopt vulnerable pets.
Bob Citrullo, Humane Educational Society,"Important that we have some type of registry like this so that we can hopefully prevent anything happening, any kind of cruelty to animals that is our goal, we want to limit it and prevent this if at all possible".
The offenses which could get you on the list include aggravated animal cruelty, bestiality and felony animal fighting.
At McKamey they say animal abuse and cruelty are major problems in the volunteer state but also an issue that is right here in the scenic city".
Jamie McAloon, McKamey Animal Center,"Over 5000 animal welfare complaints a year just here at McKamey, that’s just us, in the city of Chattanooga, imagine for statewide not only that but this is definitely going to help those people who don’t have any resources".
First conviction offenders will remain on the list for 2 years.
If they re-offend during that time period their information will then remain on the TBI website for 5 years.
The list will not include animal abusers social security or driver’s license numbers.
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