On Jan. 1, 2017, amid the flurry of the holidays, new laws officially went into place in states and communities all over the country. Locally, Molly’s Law officially went into effect, helping to protect animals in Marion County from being sold or adopted to those convicted of animal abuse crimes.
In October 2016, the Board of County Commissioners approved changes to the Marion County animal control ordinance that provided for the creation of an animal abuser registry. The registry features those who have been adjudicated guilty of an animal abuse crime. The registry officially launched on Marion County Animal Services’ website on Jan. 1, 2017 (accessible at www.MarionCountyFL.org/aar), but currently doesn’t feature a name as no one within the county has been convicted of animal abuse in 2017.
The registry will help pet stores, adoption agencies and breeders easily make sure they’re not inadvertently sending an animal abuser home with a new dog, cat, horse or other animal. People adopting, selling or gifting animals are required to check the registry (easily accessibly at www.MarionCountyFL.org/aar) before transferring ownership. The ordinance is named after Molly, an American boxer mix that received multiple stab wounds during a 2014 attack. Molly was cared for by Marion County Animal Services during the investigation and then adopted out after a lengthy vetting process.
Taking the animal abuser registry a step further, Animal Services is also featuring a list of people who have been enjoined by a court from owning animals – this can happen even if the person isn’t convicted criminally. Both lists are searchable on Animal Services’ website (accessed at www.MarionCountyFL.org/aar) and will additionally help prevent animals from going to owners who might harm them.