Good news for New Yorkers! New law allows ban animal abusers from owning pets again
The Suffolk County Legislature unanimously approved a law making it a Class A misdemeanor for registered animal abusers to possess pets, with at least a ten-year ban enforced through a public registry.
On May 13, 2025, the Suffolk County Legislature in New York voted unanimously to approve a law prohibiting anyone convicted of animal cruelty or registered as an animal abuser from owning pets.
Animal cruelty in New York is classified as a Class A misdemeanor with penalties of up to one year in jail or $1,000.
Republican legislator Stephanie Bontempi, who spearheaded the legislation, highlighted that the new law closed a loophole that allowed convicted animal abusers to have pets without liability. "We have closed the gap," she said during the symbolic signing ceremony of the law
How does the animal abuser registry work in Suffolk, New York?
In 2010, Suffolk County became a trailblazer in establishing a public registry of animal abusers, and was the first county in the U.S. to have such a database. The registry is maintained by the County Police Department, and the District Attorney’s Office maintains the registrants.
Those convicted of animal abuse must register their contact information, and they are banned permanently from owning or keeping animals for at least ten years. If they have not committed another offense within that time period, they can be taken off the registrants list. There are currently 30 names publicly available on the registry.
What do animal protection organization in New York say about the new law protecting pets?
Animal welfare organizations in America, including the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), have welcomed the law's passage. They deem it an essential move toward ensuring animal welfare and preventing repeat offenses.
The new law is expected to be a model legislation for other counties and states, facilitating necessary steps to protect animal welfare and keep pets out of the hands of potential abusers.
