Although stiffer penalties in North Dakota are incorporated as a measure to make animal abusers held accountable, it is crucial to do more in the protection of animals. As stated by the director of the local Humane Society, stiffer penalties are a step “in the right direction for North Dakota’s animals, but it’s disappointing that the bill was watered down from its original version and falls short of what voters were promised. Every major newspaper in the state called on lawmakers to honor their word, but the Farm Bureau and agribusiness groups worked to scuttle it and weaken the law.” Read more on these cruelty issues at http://www.humanesociety.org/news/press_releases/2013/04/north-dakota-leg-passes-animal-cruelty-bill042413.html.
With the increase in animal cruelty and some stiffer penalties, another crucial tool to help voiceless, defenseless animals be protected would be the creation of an animal cruelty registry. Such a database needs to be similar in stature to that of child abusers and sex offenders with serious, lifetime implications. Any person convicted of animal abuse, cruelty or abandonment of any sort needs to be listed on this registry. To be accurate, the abuser’s information needs to be updated on a regular basis. Furthermore, any person listed on this database should remain there for a lifetime, being banned from any future animal ownership, working with or caring for them as a means of protecting future defenseless lives.
With my continuing efforts to encourage a database for the protection of animals nationwide, my ask in this petition is for the North Dakota State Lawmakers to implement and strictly enforce such a registry. You can help me in these efforts by signing and sharing this petition, adding your own voice of comments in favor of the voiceless who cannot protect themselves.
North Dakota State Legislators – It is highly commendable that you are taking steps to protect animals through the elevated penalties through felonies. I strongly urge to implement and strictly enforce an animal cruelty registry database, one that is similar in stature to that of child abusers and sex offenders with serious, lifetime implications. Any person convicted of animal abuse, cruelty or abandonment of any sort needs to be listed on this registry. To be accurate, the abuser’s information needs to be updated on a regular basis. Furthermore, any person listed on this database should remain there for a lifetime, being banned from any future animal ownership, working with or caring for them as a means of protecting future defenseless lives. Please speak out in favor of those who cannot through an active database of extreme protection for these defenseless animals.
