Bill Seeks to Create Registry of Convicted Animal Abusers

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — A new bill in Washington state seeks to create a statewide registry of people convicted of animal abuse.

Senate Bill 6234, sponsored by Republican Sen. Joe Fain, is modeled on a law that recently took effect in Tennessee.

Under the measure, the registry would be posted online by the state Attorney General's office and would include the names, addresses and photos of people convicted of first or second degree animal cruelty, animal fighting or poisoning. Convicted animal abusers would remain on the registry for 10 years after conviction.

The bill comes following a decision by the FBI to list animal cruelty as a Class A felonies, like homicide, arson and assault. The FBI this month began tracking and monitoring animal neglect, abuse, torture and animal fighting whether it be intentional or due to reckless behavior.