Finger Lakes SPCA backs animal‑abuser registry; county law introduced and tabled for revisions

Michael Hopkins, executive director of the Finger Lakes SPCA, told the legislature that Steuben County is facing a growing animal‑cruelty problem and urged passage of a local animal‑abuser registry as an accountability tool: “We are in something of a crisis in Steuben County when it comes to animal cruelty,” he said, noting 22 cruelty/rescue cases and 128 animals taken in last year.

The legislature later heard the formal introduction of tentative local law No. 1 (2026) to establish an animal‑abuser registry (sponsored by Legislator Horton). Legislators asked detailed questions about definitions (should the code refer to convictions rather than violations), privacy implications for registrants and whether storing addresses would conflict with other registry laws. Legislator Thoo proposed two amendments — clarifying the definition to require convictions and adding a streamlined form or process for judges to notify registrants — and then moved to table the law so staff and counsel could address those concerns. The motion to table carried; the chair said the law will be worked on in March with the expectation of further drafting and committee review.

A letter of support from the Hornell Area Humane Society (executive director Alexandra Howard) was submitted and read into the record. No final vote on adoption occurred; the item will return for revision and further consideration.