HARTFORD — Advocates for domestic violence victims and animal rights supporters in Connecticut are teaming up to support a public registry of animal abusers.
The two groups say those who abuse animals should be singled out because they’re more likely to commit violent crimes against human beings, especially in cases of domestic violence.
Often abusers will scare their victims by threatening the family pet, making the victim reluctant to leave the home.
Connecticut lawmakers have proposed such registries in the past, but those bills each died. This year, the idea is being supported by two task forces created by the General Assembly.
Lawmakers are scheduled to return to the state Capitol on Feb. 3.
Tennessee launched the first statewide animal abuse registry on Jan. 1. Other registries exist for cities and counties.
