California aims to be the first US state to register animal abusers

The aim of the registry is to make it easier for shelters and animal-adoption groups to identify people who should be denied access to animals, TIME Magazine explains.

Abuses covered in the legislation would include the malicious and intentional maiming, mutilation, torture, wounding or killing of a living animal - both pets and farm animals. It would also target pet hoarders and operators of animal-fighting rings who have felony convictions.

State Senate Majority Leader Dean Florez says about 60% of Californians own pets; add in farm animals, and 80% of the population has some kind of ownership of animals.

"We think California is primed for this kind of a bill," says Florez, who introduced the bill in late February. "We've progressed to the point where we as a legislature are moving in a direction of this bill, which is ultimately, How do we in essence prevent repeat offenses when it comes to cruelty to animals in the state of California?"


Read more in TIME Magazine...