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Steuben County presents proposed Animal Abuser Registry; public hearing set for May 18
Summary
The Legislature presented Local Law No. One to create an online Animal Abuser Registry maintained by the Sheriff’s Office, requiring registration and annual updates for people convicted of specified animal‑abuse crimes; the body set a public hearing for May 18, 2026.
The Steuben County Legislature on April 27 presented a local law that would create an online Animal Abuser Registry listing county residents convicted of defined animal‑abuse crimes and prohibiting those listed from owning or possessing companion animals.
Legislator J. Horton introduced the proposal as Local Law Tentatively No. One, which the clerk read into the record. The registry would be maintained by the Steuben County Sheriff’s Office, require registration within five days of release or conviction, include an annual in‑person verification and photograph, and carry a one‑time $125 registration fee (with a waiver option). The law sets a seven‑year registration period after release or sentence for a first conviction and lifetime registration after a second conviction.
"The Steuben County Sheriff, or his/her designee, is hereby authorized, empowered and directed to establish an online Animal Abuser Registry," the clerk read. The proposed ordinance names specific offenses that trigger registration, including enumerated sections of the New York Agriculture & Markets Law and related Penal Law provisions.
The proposal also prohibits animal shelters, pet dealers, individuals and entities within Steuben County from transferring ownership of companion animals to anyone listed on the registry; shelters and dealers would be required to check the registry before transfers, or call the Sheriff’s Office if they cannot access the list.
Legislator W. Thew asked whether local justices would be provided forms to notify the Sheriff. County Attorney Timothy Rosell said the Sheriff was coordinating implementation. County Manager Wheeler told the Legislature that "the Sheriff had sent an email and is working with a vendor that we contract with to incorporate an online portal and the vendor has an application that can manage that process." (Mr. Wheeler)
The Legislature scheduled a public hearing on the proposed law for May 18, 2026. The law includes criminal penalties for failure to register and for possession or transfer violations; it exempts farm animals and service animals for people with disabilities.
