Effective January 1st, Tennessee is the first state to offer a published animal abuse registry. Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) will post a publicly accessible list on its website of any person convicted of animal abuse after January 1st, 2016.
Included in this list will be a photograph of the convicted animal abuser, the abuser’s full legal name and any other identifying information the TBI determines is necessary to properly identify the abuser.
As stated in this new law, animal abuse is defined as aggravated cruelty to animals,animal fighting which constitutes a felony, and criminal offense against animals.
First time offenders names will appear on the TBI list for two years after conviction. After two years, if no other convictions or violations have been found, the offenders name will be removed from the list.
Any other subsequent offenses will cause the offenders names to appear on the TBI list for five years. In addition to being placed on the list, offenders will not be eligible to adopt pets from local shelters. The legislation for the Tennessee Animal Abuse Registry was passed in May. Visit the TBI website for more information regarding the Tennessee Animal Abuse Registry.
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