A new federal bill aims to track convicted animal abusers across state lines by creating a centralized, national registry.
U.S. Representative Greg Steube, a Republican representing Florida, introduced the Law Enforcement Animal Safety and Harm Reporting Act of 2026—publicly dubbed the LEASH Act—on Tuesday. If passed, the legislation would build a publicly available database listing individuals convicted of felony animal cruelty nationwide. The goal is to give pet shelters, law enforcement, and the public a clear tool to verify backgrounds and prevent repeat offenders from adopting or purchasing animals.
To make this happen, the bill proposes an amendment to the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act. It links database reporting to federal funding, specifically the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant Program. Under the new rules, states and local governments applying for these grants would need to certify that they will share information regarding felony animal cruelty convictions, including the names of the offenders, with the Attorney General. The Department of Justice would then have two years to launch and maintain the public database.
Supporters say the registry mirrors systems already running in states like Tennessee and Florida, the latter of which saw its own aggravated animal cruelty database go live on January 1, 2026. The new federal framework would leave data collection methods up to individual states while standardizing how that information is published nationally.
Proponents point to high rates of reoffending among those convicted of chronic animal abuse and hoarding as a key reason for a unified national tracking tool.
“Animal cruelty is a heinous crime that often signals a pattern of escalating violence,” Representative Steube said in a statement. “Florida has taken important steps to crack down on these crimes, and this legislation extends Florida’s model to better protect animals and help shelters place pets in safe homes.”
Law enforcement and animal welfare groups have lined up behind the proposal, including the Florida Sheriffs Association.
Chief Robert Bage, President of the Florida Police Chiefs Association, expressed hope for the legislation’s impact on tracking offenders. “Florida has proven to be a leader in legislation to prevent animal abuse,” Bage said. “We applaud and support the efforts of Congressman Steube in filing the LEASH Act, and the membership of the Florida Police Chiefs Association is hopeful that a nationwide animal abuse registry will track offenders, prevent future abuse and aide both law enforcement and the public.”
Advocates also emphasized that the system would prevent abusers from slipping under the radar simply by relocating.
“Animal cruelty is a serious crime, and law enforcement can help prevent repeated offenses to better protect animals and our communities through tools like public databases,” said Tracie Letterman, Vice President of Humane World Action Fund. “The LEASH Act is a commonsense measure to help ensure that people convicted of felony animal cruelty cannot evade scrutiny simply by crossing state lines. This voluntary program is a practical step Congress can take help to stop cruelty before it happens again.”
For local organizations, the bill represents an unfinished piece of animal advocacy work.
“The LEASH Act of 2026 gives another layer of protection for animals against abusers. This bill extends the work of Florida’s statewide aggravated animal cruelty database on the national stage,” said Debbie Darino, President and Founder of The Ponce Animal Foundation. “Florida’s database went live on January 1, 2026, but our work to protect the voiceless against the pain and suffering they endure from repeat animal cruelty offenders remains unfinished. The Ponce Animal Foundation applauds Congressman Steube for working to combat animal abuse and urges Congress and other states across the country to follow in Florida’s footsteps.”
The bill, officially designated as H.R. 11, has been introduced in the House of Representatives and referred to committee for further review. If passed, the grant eligibility changes would take effect during the first fiscal year starting two years after the enactment date.
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