COLUMBIA, SC, February 29, 2024 — Republican gubernatorial candidate Nancy Mace is vowing to crack down on animal cruelty in South Carolina, promising to establish the state’s first Animal Abuse Registry if elected. The move comes as Mace earns recognition for her work on federal legislation aimed at dismantling illegal animal fighting operations.
Mace Champions Animal Welfare on Two Fronts
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The congresswoman is co-sponsoring federal legislation and pledging a statewide registry to track animal abusers.
- Congresswoman Nancy Mace is co-sponsoring the bipartisan FIGHT Act.
- More than 1,000 law enforcement agencies support the federal legislation.
- Mace pledges to create South Carolina’s first Animal Abuse Registry as governor.
- The registry would function similarly to sex offender registries, increasing accountability.
What would South Carolina’s first Animal Abuse Registry do? It would prevent convicted animal abusers from evading consequences by relocating to other counties and repeating their crimes, ensuring abusers are tracked, monitored, and held accountable.
Animal Wellness Action Applauds Mace’s Leadership
Animal Wellness Action has lauded Mace as the sole South Carolina co-sponsor of the FIGHT Act (H.R. 3946/S. 1454), legislation designed to bolster enforcement against illegal animal fighting. Over 1,000 law enforcement agencies across the nation, including the South Carolina Sheriffs’ Association, have endorsed the bill.
“We’re fighting to protect ALL of God’s creatures,” said Congresswoman Mace. “Animal cruelty is a serious crime, and those who abuse animals deserve serious consequences, not a slap on the wrist.”
Registry Aims to Deter Repeat Offenses
Mace’s plan to address animal cruelty statewide centers on the creation of a publicly accessible Animal Abuse Registry. Convicted abusers would be required to register, mirroring the process for sex offenders, thereby aiding shelters, breeders, and law enforcement in identifying and preventing future harm.
“When I’m Governor, criminals will be treated like criminals,” Mace said. “An Animal Abuse Registry will ensure that those convicted of animal cruelty can’t simply move to another county and abuse again. Abusers will be tracked, monitored, and held accountable.”
The FIGHT Act aims to strengthen federal laws against animal fighting, increasing penalties and improving investigative tools for law enforcement.
