Fight animal abuse in Orange

Posted 8/21/12

I am writing to call attention to a much-needed law in Orange County: Rocky’s Law. It is being proffered by Legislator Mike Anagnostakis, and seeks to create an animal abuse registry in Orange …

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Fight animal abuse in Orange

Posted

I am writing to call attention to a much-needed law in Orange County: Rocky’s Law. It is being proffered by Legislator Mike Anagnostakis, and seeks to create an animal abuse registry in Orange County.

Rocky’s owner tied his dog Rocky, outside for five weeks, over the winter, while he went away on vacation. Rocky starved and became too weak to fight off rat attacks. Rocky was found emaciated and covered in rat bites and had to be euthanized.

In another cruelty case out of Blooming Grove, a woman who starved, neglected, and abused her 38 animals had them seized from her custody by the Hudson Valley SPCA. Six of her horses were put in the care of Pets Alive. Justice Stephen Smith, who sits in Blooming Grove Town Court, found her guilty of four counts of abuse, but then ordered the horses returned to her, before her May 7 sentencing.

Rocky’s Law would prevent such egregious errors in judgment in the future. Under Rocky’s Law, once a perpetrator is convicted of animal abuse, he/she would be prevented from owning an animal for 15 years. It is shameful that Orange County does not already have such a necessary law.

Numerous studies have shown that those who abuse animals often go on to commit crimes of domestic abuse.

Let’s work together to protect the innocents of our community. Contact your local legislator, and ask him/her to support Rocky’s Law.

Victoria Brancoveanu, Esq.

Goshen, NY

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