Animal abuse crosses both social and economic boundaries. The abuse animals suffer is prevalent in both rural as well as urban areas throughout the state of Oklahoma.

Individuals who abuse animals are statistically likely to also abuse their spouses, children and family members as well. Data on domestic violence and child abuse cases reveal that a staggering number of animals are targeted by those who abuse their children or spouses.

There are approximately 70 million pet dogs and 74.1 million pet cats in the U.S. where 20 men and women are assaulted per minute (an average of around 10 million a year). In one survey, 71 percent of domestic violence victims reported that their abuser also targeted pets. In another study of families under investigation for suspected child abuse, researchers found that pet abuse had occurred in 88 percent of the families under supervision for physical abuse of their children.(U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 2011. “National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey.”)

Animal abuse is also seen as a key indicator that someone is statistically likely to commit further violent crimes not only against other animals but against other people.* (Degenhardt, B. 2005. Statistical Summary of Offenders Charged with Crimes against Companion Animals July 2001-July 2005. Report from the Chicago Police Department.)

This petition moves that Oklahoma legislators and Governor Mary Fallin enact legislation compelling the creation of a state-wide database to be monitored by an appropriate state law enforcement agency where individuals convicted of felony crimes of violence or abuse against animals must register following a conviction. Such registration information would be publicly available and accessible upon request.

Further, individuals registered under the "Animal Abuse Offenders" system should also be prohibited from owning an animal either as a pet or "work animal" for a period of time determined upon conviction of an appropriate crime and registrants would also be prohibited from obtaining employment in a field where animals, either domesticated or agricultural, are a predominant component to the position of employ.

(Oklahoma state statutory felony crimes of which violation would be appropriate for registration in the proposed "offender database" are found in Okla. Stat. tit. 21, § 1680.2-1685; § 1694-1697; § 1699.1 (2016).)

Removing individuals with tendencies toward violence against animals from situations and environments that put animals at risk would reduce the amount of suffering on the part of the animal but would also reduce the financial liability of pet owners, private veterinary medical providers and state, county and municipal animal control agencies who are forced to use resources to either render medical care or, ultimately, destroy animals who have been violently abused. Further, the policy motivations for such a system are reflected in the public awareness of the prevalence of such crimes, public participation in the prevention of future felony acts of violence toward animals and the ultimate safety and well-being of animals within the state of Oklahoma.