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Plaid Cymru AM Bethan Jenkins has called on the Welsh Government to establish a register of convicted animal abusers, making Wales the first country in the UK and Europe to introduce such a measure.

The move comes in the wake of a series of horrific cruelty cases across Wales, including an attack on cats kept at the Ty Nant sanctuary in Cymmer, in the South Wales West region that Ms Jenkins represents.

And earlier this month a kitten was beaten to death with a rolling pin and thrown into a food disposal unit by kitchen staff at a hotel in Betws-y-Coed .

A public outcry on social media was followed by the management apologising and sacking those responsible.

Support for the principle

Ms Jenkins told Assembly Members: “What I am looking at today is support for the principle. Details like whether such a register should be open or closed, and whether it would mean all animals or just pets, would need to be worked out in the scrutiny phase of any subsequent legislation.

“I will be making the case for the benefits. A House of Commons committee recently recommended doing more work on animal abuse registers because, at present, those with convictions for animal cruelty are very difficult to track.

“In addition, there is a growing body of evidence that links animal abuse with child abuse and domestic abuse, so the register could provide a very powerful tool in support of combatting those issues. And lastly, it would be used by law enforcement agencies for criminal profiling.”

Ms Jenkins said that passing the necessary legislation is within the Assembly’s powers, because the register would play no part in the court and conviction process. She said the idea enjoys widespread support among responsible pet owners, many of whom had taken the time to write to her and give their backing.

The proposal was originally put to Ms Jenkins by Jenna Satterley, one of her constituents, and she has been given support in developing the idea by Maxine and Brian Berry, of the Justice for Chunky campaign.

There are a number of animal abuse registers already in existence in the United States, including a state-wide open register in Tennessee, which can be viewed by everyone, including members of the public.

In New York, the city operates a closed register, which pet shops and animal sanctuaries must reference before selling or passing on any animals.

There are open registers in Albany County and Orange County, both in New York State. The online open register in Albany County is maintained by an animal shelter, the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society (MHHS), “as a service to the public”. As such, there is no cost to the taxpayer.

Animal cruelty register

Anyone who is convicted of animal cruelty in the County of Albany after January 2012 is required to submit information to the Albany County Sheriff’s Department – and update it annually. That information is then passed to the shelter.

Its website says: “Anyone selling, giving away or adopting an animal to another person” in Albany County must check the register prior to any change in ownership. Giving, selling or adopting an animal to a person on the registry is a violation of county law.

The Orange County Animal Abuser Registry was created in 2015 by an act of the Orange County Legislature known as Rocky’s Law – after a dog left that had to be put down after being left out in the snow without food and water for five weeks while his owner went on holiday.

This is maintained by the Sheriff’s Office, and anyone convicted of animal cruelty, who resides in Orange County, is required to submit their information to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and this is then put online. They are also charged a fee of $125.

The law requires that anyone transferring ownership of an animal (for payment or otherwise) must check the Orange County Animal Abuser Registry prior to any change in ownership. Giving, selling or allowing adoption of an animal to a person on the Orange County Animal Abuser Registry is a violation of county law.