FORT MYERS, Fla-- Florida House Bill 871 proposes creating a state registry for animal abuse. The bill if passed would require offenders to register similar to a sex offender registry, with law enforcement posting a photo to its website along with the offense.
"I think it's amazing why not take it a step further and not only have that registry but have harsher punishments for people that are offenders," said Love is Fur Ever Dog Rescue VP Stacy Swindle.
Currently, Love is Fur Ever Dog Rescue works with other dog rescues and local agencies to keep track of abuse cases. The groups share information through a Facebook page.
"We don't want that abuse to happen so we have those do not adopt lists that we try to keep as up to date as possible," said Swindle.
However, without a statewide registry it can be tough to keep track of every offender. But if HB 871 were to pass Swindle believes it would dramatically help prevent abuse.
"So many resources are going into the dogs that are neglected and abused, if we didn't have those issues anymore we could save so many more dogs," said Swindle.
For more information about Love is Fur Ever Dog Rescue: CLICK HERE
