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Animal abuse registry approved in Hillsborough County

Posted at 6:25 AM, Sep 09, 2016
and last updated 2016-09-09 06:25:51-04

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) -- Convicted animal abusers will no longer be able to adopt dogs and cats in Hillsborough County.

The Tampa Bay Times reports county commissioners on Thursday approved a new registry for people convicted of harming animals.

Individuals on the registry won't be able to adopt or work with animals, and retailers and shelters will be required to check the registry whenever someone wants to adopt.

Potential adopters will have to sign an affidavit affirming that they have never been convicted of animal abuse. Then, retailers would verify after and notify the county to send animal control officers to seize the pet.

Shelters would run the background check immediately.

Advocates say the registry will allow law enforcement to keep tabs on violent individuals.