Any Suffolk County resident, older than 18, who is convicted of animal abuse is required to register their name, address and photo with the registry. Individuals on the list pay an annual fee of $50. The law creating the registry, passed in 2010, was the first of its kind in the nation. Each person required to register with Suffolk County shall remain on this registry for 10 years. If the registered individual is convicted of subsequent animal abuse crimes, they shall remain on the registry for 20 years following the most recent conviction.
Persons registered with the Animal Abuse Registry shall be prohibited from possessing an animal while they remain on the registry.
Animal Abuse Offender Registry List as of May 6, 2025
ANIMAL ABUSE CRIME
The commission of the following enumerated crimes against an animal: animal fighting, as defined in the New York State Agriculture and Markets Law (hereinafter "AML") § 351; overdriving, torturing and injuring animals; failure to provide proper sustenance, as defined in AML § 353; aggravated cruelty to animals, as defined in AML § 353-a; electrocution of fur-bearing animals, as defined in AML § 353-c; abandonment of animals, as defined in AML § 355; failure to provide proper food and drink to an impounded animal, as defined in AML § 356; carrying animals in a cruel manner, as defined in AML 359; poisoning or attempting to poison animals, as defined in AML § 360; interference with or injury to certain domestic animals, as defined in AML § 361; throwing substance injurious to animals in a public place, as defined in AML § 362; running horses on a highway, as defined in AML § 364; clipping or cutting the ears of dogs, as defined in AML § 365; companion animal stealing, as defined in AML § 366; removing, seizing or transporting dogs for research purposes, as defined in AML § 366-a; operating upon tails of horses, as defined in AML § 368; sexual misconduct with an animal, as defined in New York State Penal Code § 130.20; harming a service animal in the first degree, as defined in the New York State Penal Code § 242.15; a third or subsequent offense under Chapter 299, Article VII of the Suffolk County Code.
[Amended 3-20-2018 by L.L. No. 12-2018]