Allegany County has a new way to identify people who have been convicted of hurting animals.
The Board of Legislators voted unanimously Dec. 10 to adopt a local law establishing an Allegany County Animal Abuser Registry.
The new registry will identify individuals within Allegany County who have been convicted of animal abuse.
Lawmakers noted that individuals who abuse animals are statistically more likely to commit violent acts against people, and research shows a strong correlation between animal abuse and domestic violence.
“The Allegany County Animal Abuser Registry is vital because animal cruelty is often tied to other forms of violence, and this registry helps protect both animals and our community,” said District II Legislator Gretchen Hanchett, who pushed for the legislation.
Sheriff Scott Cicirello said the registry ups the repercussions for people convicted of abusing animals in Allegany County.
“In my career, I have been involved in dozens of animal abuse investigations. Beyond a simple fine, the consequences to those convicted of animal abuse related crimes have been minimal,” Cicirello said. “This legislation, designating an Animal Abuser Registry in Allegany County, provides far-reaching consequences to those convicted of these horrific crimes.”
The registry will include the name, age, address and photo of each individual. Registration also comes with a $125 fee.
The local law goes into effect Jan. 1, 2026. The legislature said the Allegany County District Attorney’s office will be responsible for prosecuting violations of the law.
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This article originally appeared on The Evening Tribune: How a new animal abuse registry raises the stakes in Allegany County
Reporting by Neal Simon, Hornell Evening Tribune / The Evening Tribune
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