Tennessee is set to become the first state to release a registry that will consist of the names of people convicted of having intentionally abused animals. The registry is similar to the Tennessee Sex Offender Registry in lay out.
The new law established the registry that went live on Friday Jan. 1, 2016. Today, anyone can access the online registry, see a picture of the offender, and learn the offender's age and where the offender lives. However, the state says that no one currently meets the criteria to be named on the registry due to the fact that their conviction will have to take place on or after January 1, 2016. In other words, the list will grow as the year continues.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation created the website.
The registry consists of those convicted of aggravated animal cruelty, or felony animal fighting. First-time offenders will spend two years on the registry, while a second offense makes it five.
