The operator of an online database that tracks animal abuse cases nationwide is offering to help animal welfare authorities in New York develop the nation's first registry for convicted animal abusers.

Earlier this month, lawmakers in Suffolk County, N.Y., unanimously passed IR 1879, a bill that establishes an online animal abuser registry similar to databases containing information about sex offenders. The registry's purpose is to help rescue operators, animal welfare authorities, and the public identify convicted animal abuse offenders residing in their communities.

Under the measure, convicted animal cruelty offenders age 18 years or older must provide their names (including aliases), addresses, and a photograph to the registry within five days of release from jail or five days after their conviction. Offenders are also required to update registry information annually and pay an annual registration fee of $50. Those who fail to register or pay the annual fee could be subject to a fine of $1,000 and/or one year in jail. Offender information will remain in the registry database for five years.

Alison Gianotto, who established www.pet-abuse.com in 2001, offered to help the Suffolk County SPCA design a data collection and dissemination format that can be adapted into a network linking future similar registries. The Suffolk County SPCA is the agency designated under the new law to develop and maintain the registry