Gentile’s pet peeve – people abusing animals
A bill the City Council approved at its last session of 2013 will go a long way toward protecting animals from abuse at the hands of heartless people, according to Councilman Vincent Gentile, who co-sponsored the animal-rights legislation.
Gentile (D-Bay Ridge-Dyker Heights-Bensonhurst) said the bill to create an animal abuse registry similar to the state’s sex offender registry will help prevent abusers from getting their hands on other animals.
“In story after disturbing story, abusers repeat their violent crimes against helpless animals, and have a proclivity to become violent towards people as well. The animal abuse registry will help keep our animals and our families safe,” Gentile said in a statement. “And by proper screening, animal rescuers and shelters can help make sure that animals who have often survived cruelty, neglect, or abandonment will find safe homes in which they will be treated with love and respect for the rest of their lives.”