LOCKPORT, N.Y. (WKBW) — The Niagara County Legislature created the only Animal Abuser Registry in Western New York in 2015. Since then, 37 individuals living in Niagara County have been convicted of animal cruelty.
"We were seeing cases over and over again, where the same people were abusing animals, and that nothing was being done about it," said Undersheriff Michael Filicetti with the Niagara County Sheriff's Office.
To prevent another animal from being abused, like Sandy who was discovered in North Tonawanda over the weekend, the law requires anyone giving away an animal to check the registry.
"If you're selling or giving a pet to an individual, you have to check this registry," said Undersheriff Filicetti. "So I'm hoping that that is deterring the same people that are abusing animals from getting animals."
Sandy was rescued from a home after authorities received an anonymous tip. Authorities say if you see an animal that appears in distress, call your local SPCA.
"I think that the District Attorney's office is doing a great job of watching these cases, and making sure that people that are offending are held accountable, and ending up on this registry," said Filicetti.
According to the website, anyone convicted of animal cruelty is required to register their information here.
Undersheriff Filicetti said there are two individuals with outstanding warrants who have not registered yet, but he said they are not Sandy's owners.
