Advocates Backing Animal Abuse Registry In Connecticut

HARTFORD, Conn. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Advocates for domestic violence victims and animal rights supporters in Connecticut are teaming up to support a public registry of animal abusers.

The two groups say those who abuse animals should be singled out because they're more likely to commit violent crimes against human beings, especially in cases of domestic violence.

Often abusers will scare their victims by threatening the family pet, making the victim reluctant to leave the home.

It's a step forward in keeping possible victims safe from harm, said Priscilla Feral, head of Friends of Animals in Darien, adding there does appear to be a connection between these two types of abuse.

"More than that, I think animal control officers will finally have a way to screen applicants so that shelter dogs and cats aren't just willy-nilly handed out to people who say they want them," she told WCBS 880s's Fran Schneidau.

Feral said the public registry is an excellent way to alert people about these offenders.

Those who have committed animal abuse would not only be identified with a photo and background, but the offenders themselves would have to pay the cost of posting the information, Schneidau reported.

Connecticut lawmakers have proposed such registries in the past, but those bills each died. This year, the idea is being supported by two task forces created by the General Assembly.

Lawmakers are scheduled to return to the state Capitol on Feb. 3.

Tennessee launched the first statewide animal abuse registry on Jan. 1. Other registries exist for cities and counties.

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