MONTICELLO, NY — The Sullivan County Legislature voted unanimously on July 21 to create an animal abuse registry, where anyone convicted of abusing a pet or other animal will be required to register at an online site.

The vote followed a public hearing in which most comments were supportive of the local law passed to create the registry.

The law was named Dean’s Law, after a Sullivan County dog who had been abused by a previous owner. Dean made an appearance at the legislative meeting and looked healthy and active.

The law stated in part, “It is the Legislature’s goal to reduce the number and frequency of animal cruelty offenses occurring in Sullivan County. In order to further that goal the Legislature believes that identifying individuals who are convicted of animal cruelty charges and limiting their access to animals could reduce the likelihood of future animal cruelty offenses.”

Individuals listed on the registry will be prohibited from “adopting, purchasing, or otherwise obtaining animals from any animal shelter, pet seller, or other person or entity involved in the exchange of animals by adoption, sale, or other means.”