In the near future, I intend to introduce legislation known as Aimee’s Law. This legislation will establish a publicly accessible registry of individuals convicted of felony animal abuse offenses.

This follows the deeply distressing discovery in my district where a six-month-old Siberian husky puppy was discovered abandoned in a crate under freezing temperatures. Ultimately Aimee died despite rescue efforts. Two individuals have been arrested in connection with her abandonment and abuse.

This legislation would require individuals convicted of felony animal cruelty or aggravated cruelty to animals to be placed on a registry, similar to Megan’s Law. It will help protect animals and communities, deter repeat offenders, and support enforcement of existing penalties for egregious cruelty that currently result in felony charges.

There is evidence that a history of animal abuse can correlate with other violent behaviors, and a registry increases transparency and public safety.

Florida recently enacted similar statewide legislation. In 2025, the Florida Legislature passed Dexter’s Law, which strengthens penalties for aggravated animal cruelty and directs the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to maintain a public, searchable database of individuals convicted of animal cruelty offenses. The new registry became operational on January 1, 2026.

Please join me in supporting Aimee’s Law addressing an urgent gap in current law by ensuring accountability for serious animal cruelty and offering communities a tool to prevent repeat harm.