Animal advocates push for Molly's Law in Marion County

MARION COUNTY, Fla. — A group of animal advocates is working make a law, which would enforce stricter punishments for animal abusers, a reality in Marion County.

Under Molly’s Law, a website would feature the names, pictures and addresses of convicted animal abusers in the county.

It would be similar to sex offender registries.

"Every day we are seeing and hearing about animals being abused, murdered, tortured and neglected by the hands of their owners and by strangers,” said advocate Nikki Collins. “It (the law) would prevent animal abusers from re-offending, by keeping them away from animals.”

Those fighting for the law presented their plan to commissioners Tuesday morning.

They also brought Molly the dog, a boxer-mix that inspired the law, into the commissioner chambers.

The boxer-mix was the inspiration for the law.

In 2014, Molly was nearly killed during a beating by its owner.

"Molly had a fractured skull from being beat with a bat, and had stab wounds through the top of her head,” Collins said.

Police and neighbors helped save the dog and the animal recovered from its injuries.

Linda Little Wolf, who is spearheading the push, said the Marion County Sheriff’s Office would operate the site.

The law would force offenders to register after being convicted and pay a fine of up to $125 a year, which would be used to pay for the registry.

Officials said there are still issues that need to be worked on before the law can got to the books.

Cox Media Group