Hillsborough Considers Animal Abuse Registry

TAMPA, FL — People who are convicted of animal abuse in Hillsborough County may soon find their names on a registry accessible to the general public, much like those convicted of sexually related crimes.

Hillsborough County Commissioners voted 5-1 Wednesday to have an ordinance drafted that would require convicted animal abusers and those convicted of animal neglect to sign up for a registry. Those who fail to register would face fines. The resulting registry would be accessible to animal adoption agencies and the general public.

Commissioner Stacy White was the only one who voted against the idea pitched by Commissioner Kevin Beckner, several media outlets have reported. White opposed the measure, saying it would be best handled at the state level.

How soon such an ordinance might be ready for commission consideration remains unknown. An estimated cost is also not available.

If the registry comes to fruition, Hillsborough would be the first in the state to create such a system.

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