The Cayuga County Legislature on Dec. 11 approved a local law that establishes an annual registry of individuals convicted of specified animal‑abuse crimes and bars certain registrants from owning animals.

At a public hearing earlier in the meeting, Nicholas Lepresi, introduced as executive director of a Finger Lakes animal‑welfare organization, testified in favor of a registry that he said would protect animals and help prevent repeat offenses. “Supporting this law means standing up for animals who cannot speak for themselves,” Lepresi said.

During the business portion of the meeting, the legislature considered and then adopted a housekeeping amendment to the proposed law to correct subsection lettering in the definition of animal‑abuse crimes. County counsel advised on the amendment’s wording, which clarified the list of qualifying offenses (for example, separate subsections for violations such as filing violations, misconduct with animals, harming service animals and killing or injuring animals).

After members moved and seconded the amended local law, the legislature voted to adopt the measure as amended. The adopted local law directs that convicted offenders meeting the statute’s definitions be placed on a registry and specifies prohibited acts for registrants; the text as adopted will be included in the county’s codified local laws.

What happens next: The local law takes effect upon filing with the state as provided by local law procedures; implementing department responsibilities and any reporting or administrative steps were not detailed on the record and will be handled by county counsel and relevant departments.

Key quote

“By establishing a registry of individuals convicted of animal abuse and restricting their ability to obtain new animals, we take an important step to prevent repeat offenses,” Nicholas Lepresi told the legislature during the public hearing.

Next steps: County staff and counsel to finalize codification language and administrative procedures; effective date occurs after required filing.