The New Law Was Recommended By The Animal Abuse Prevention Task Force And Requires Anyone Convicted Of An Animal Abuse Crime To Register With The Online Database

New Paltz, N.Y. — On the grounds of the highly popular county-wide dog park in New Paltz, Ulster County Executive Mike Hein continued to move this Comprehensive Animal Abuse Prevention Initiative, which already includes the Anti-abusive Tethering Law, forward by signing a law which establishes the Ulster County Animal Abuse Registry.  The law is the product of a recommendation of County Executive’s Animal Abuse Prevention Advisory Task Force and a broad bipartisan coalition including District Attorney Holley Carnight, Legislative Minority Leader Ken Ronk and Legislators Lynn Archer and Ken Wishnick.  The Registry will serve as an online database of anyone who has been convicted of an animal abuse crime in Ulster County and provides the Ulster County District Attorney the necessary implementation powers. 

“Ulster County is committed to being a true ‘pet safe’ county, animal abuse and neglect is unconscionable and this new law will further help protect pets across the County,” said County Executive Mike Hein. “This law is a tremendous step forward for animal rights but it should not be forgotten that the Animal Abuse Registry was envisioned to be utilized in conjunction with a law that regulates pet sellers in order to prevent an abuser from purchasing or adopting an animal.  I want to thank my Animal Abuse Prevention Task Force for having the forethought of recommending these two intertwined laws, and I want to thank Legislators Ken Ronk, Lynn Archer and Ken Wishnick for sponsoring both laws and for their support in working to ensure the passage of the pet sellers law at the next legislative session.  I also want to commend District Attorney Holley Carnright for taking on a pivotal role and implementing this law which will serve as an additional tool for law enforcement.” 

Holley Carnright, Ulster County District Attorney

“Animal Abuse takes many forms and violators often perpetrate their crimes on multiple pets, this law is a tremendous first step in preventing an innocent animal from being subjected to the horrors of a repeat offender,” said Ulster County District Attorney Holley Carnright.  “Additionally, there is an unmistakable link between animal abuse and the commission of other crimes, I want to thank County Executive Hein, the Animal Abuse Prevention Task Force and Legislators Ronk, Archer and Wishnick for this resource, and look forward to implementing this law along with the pet sellers law which is still pending in the Legislature.”

Ken Ronk, Ulster County Legislator

"I am proud to be a sponsor of the animal abuse registry because it is our responsibility to speak for those who have no voice,” said Ken Ronk, Ulster County Legislator.  “Studies have shown that those who abuse animals eventually graduate to abusing humans and this is a great first step to putting a stop to that cycle of violence."

Ken Wishnick, Ulster County Legislator

“I am proud of the collaborative effort between the County Legislature and the County Executive in passing this first of a series of two laws, and I want to thank Mike Hein and my fellow Legislators for their support,” said Ulster County Legislator Ken Wishnick.  “By working together we have taken another step to help protect the health and safety of our pets.”

The law requires anyone 18 years of age or older who is convicted of an animal abuse related crime to register for the online database.   A registrant is required to provide their name, any aliases they are known as, address and a photograph of themselves.  Registration is required for 15 years or for life in the event of a second conviction.  Failure to register can include penalties of fines up to $250 and/or 15 days in jail. 

Pictured below: (L – R) Tammy Friedman, Kirsti Gholson, Ken Wishnick, County Executive Mike Hein, Christine DeBoer, Ken Ronk