Nassau County wants to create an online registry of convicted animal abusers, with supporters saying the individuals are prone to committing acts of domestic violence.

The county legislature's Rules Committee yesterday unanimously approved establishing the registry, similar to one in Suffolk. Nassau's version would make adults register with police within five days of an animal cruelty conviction.

The offender's name, address and photo would be displayed for five years on a website maintained by the Nassau County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Failure to register -- and pay the annual $100 fee to help fund the registry -- would be a misdemeanor punishable by a maximum $1,000 fine and up to a year in jail.

The bill says that the legislature had found a "strong correlation . . . linking individuals who abuse animals with incidents of domestic violence." Other municipalities that have created registries say they can help shelters and pet shops keep animals out of abusers' hands.

"This is something we really need to do," said Presiding Officer Norma Gonsalves (R-East Meadow), noting that the registry will help assure that "those on the list never have the opportunity to house an animal."

Suffolk's animal abuse registry was approved in 2010, with similar terms and penalties.

The Nassau registry would begin immediately upon approval by the full Legislature and signing of the bill by County Executive Edward Mangano.

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