Month: March, 2018

County Proposes Local Law to Create Animal Abuse Registry

Thursday, March 15, 2018

COUNTY PROPOSES LOCAL LAW TO CREATE ANIMAL ABUSE REGISTRY

 

Online Registry Would Identify Chautauqua County Residents Who Have Been Convicted of Animal Abuse Crimes

 

MAYVILLE, N.Y.: -- A proposed local law authorizing the creation of an animal abuse registry is set to be discussed at the Chautauqua County Legislature’s Public Safety Committee meeting next week.  

 

The local law would create an online registry to identify any Chautauqua County resident who has been convicted of animal abuse crimes. Such crimes mentioned in the legislation include abandoning, injuring, overdriving, or torturing animals; failing to provide proper sustenance; poisoning or attempting to poison animals; harming service animals; and injuring or killing a police animal.

 

This law would prevent animal abuse offenders from adopting, purchasing or obtaining animals from any animal shelter or pet seller. It also requires animal shelters and pet sellers to examine the Animal Abuser Registry to confirm that the name of the potential owner is not listed.

 

This law will put convicted animal abusers on a public list similar to sex offenders,” said Chautauqua County Executive George Borrello. “People have the right to know if someone who has a record of abusing animals is living in their neighborhood. Through this registry they can be aware of these individuals and take measures to protect their pets and their family. Nikolas Cruz, the Florida school shooter, had a record of bragging about torturing animals on social media. Anyone who can intentionally abuse an animal likely suffers from mental illness or just has evil in their heart and is capable of far worse. It’s my hope that by implementing this law we will also deter people from intentionally causing harm to an animal because the consequences will be something that will follow them for life.” 

 

Under the proposed law, the Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Office would be responsible for establishing and maintaining the Chautauqua County Animal Abuser Registry. This registry, which would be available on the Sheriff’s website, would provide a name, address, and photo for each animal abuse offender. The offender would be listed on this registry for a period of 15 years.

 

“Animal abuse is an unfortunate reality in our society and we must take steps to help eliminate it,” said Chautauqua County Sheriff Joseph A. Gerace.  “I became aware of similar legislation that was passed in several other New York Counties and believe it would be beneficial in Chautauqua County as well. This new law would help ensure that those who are convicted of animal abuse will no longer be able to own and potentially abuse animals. Animals are unable to defend themselves and the passage of the animal abuse registry act will help prevent further acts of cruelty.”

 

The proposed law also sets the following penalties for violators:

 

·         An animal abuse offender who fails to register will be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by incarceration for a period of not more than one year and/or a fine not to exceed $2,000;

·         An animal abuse offender who violates the prohibition against possessing, owning, adopting or purchasing an animal will be guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by incarceration for a period of not more than one year and/or a fine not to exceed $5,000; and

·         An animal shelter or pet seller who does not examine the Chautauqua County Animal Abuser Registry to confirm the potential owner is not listed on it before the transfer of an animal, shall be guilty of a violation and subject to a fine of $5,000.

 

If the local law is approved by the Public Safety Committee on March 21, 2018, it will be subject to the approval of the full Chautauqua County Legislature during its meeting on March 28. If approved, the Local Law Authorizing the Creation of An Animal Abuse Registry would go into effect upon filing it with the Secretary of State.

 


Amvets Post 6472 Auxiliary In Silver Creek Holds Hearts For Pets Event

Wednesday, March 7, 2018

 

                                                         

 

                                          Hearts For Animals 

 

 

At the start of 2018 two friends who are both members of the Amvets Post 6472 Ladies Auxiliary began the “Hearts for Animals” campaign. Cindy Tamer and Dianne Skinner put incredible effort into a 6 week event  that concluded on Tuesday, February 13th.


During that time these two women held a coin collection drive, raffles, a photo contest, and asked local businesses for donations.  This was all done for the animals at the Chautauqua County Humane Society! Through this campaign Cindy and Dianne were able to raise $1100, including a Walmart gift card and an entire van full of donations of everything from cat and dog food to hay.  The campaign culminated in a “Hearts for Pets” event at the Amvets Post located at 234 Central Avenue in Silver Creek the day before Valentines Day.


Where did the drive to put on this kind of effort come from?  These ladies are animal lovers through and through. Cindy has “Lots of cats”, all rescues, and also has a business called Gizmo’s Favorite Nipfish, named after her cat Gizmo. You can find Gizmo’s Favorite Nipfish on Facebook.  Dianne is also a dedicated animal person, known to her friends as the “Bird Lady”. She has ducks, geese, turkey, cats and 4 pit bulls. At feeding Dianne will sometimes have 50 geese to feed. These geese are both wild and some that live on her property.


When asked how they chose the Chautauqua County Humane Society to benefit from the efforts, Dianne replied “There are lots of charities, but many of the people that rely on them are also helped through state and federal government programs.  The animals don’t have that. The shelter animals only benefit from the money that comes directly from the community.”


And in this case the animals have benefited greatly. It’s because of people like Dianne Skinner and Cindy Tamer that CCHS can achieve its mission “to save lives through compassionate care, advocacy for animals, and commitment to the community.  


Learn more about the Amvets Post 6472 with a visit to their Facebook Page:


https://www.facebook.com/amvetspost6472


The Chautauqua County Humane Society is currently holding it’s Pennies 4 Paws campaign.  Visit spcapets.com to learn how you can help the animals in need. If you would like to share your Pennies 4 Paws fundraising story please contact CCHS Community Relations Director Brian Papalia at 716-665-2209x213 or e-mail bpapalia@hotmail.com.