Paws Up!
Pictured: Legislator Mike Anagnostakis of Orange County, NY, who introduced “Rocky’s Law”
Photo by: Jim Sebastian, The Times Herald
To the county legislature of Orange County, NY, for enacting “Rocky’s Law,” which establishes an online registry of animal cruelty offenders and prohibits offenders from owning companion animals.
According to a recent news article, county legislators in Orange County, NY, have passed “Rocky’s Law” aimed to prevent cruelty to companion animals in the county. In April, Edwardo Macedowas of Newburgh, NY, was arrested after leaving his dog, “Rocky,” outside in the snow for a period of 5 weeks with no food or water while he was out of town for vacation. By the time help arrived, Rocky’s physical condition was so poor that he had to be euthanized.
Soon after, Orange County legislator Mike Anagostakis introduced the bill that would become “Rocky’s Law.” Under this law, Orange County residents convicted of animal cruelty will be named on an online registry and prohibited from owning a companion animal for fifteen years. Repeat offenders will be barred from owning a companion animal for life.
Take action. Orange County residents, contact the Orange County legislators and thank them for passing “Rocky’s Law.” Residents of other counties, contact your county legislators and encourage them to enact public registries for convicted animal cruelty offenders.
The National Humane Education Society 