For a few days in January, the story of an Erie puppy found abandoned under a bridge was all over Warren County residents’ social media feeds.

The ANNA Shelter said when Aimee, a 6-month-old Siberian husky, arrived at the shelter she was alive but unresponsive. Shelter officials posted on Facebook on Jan. 21 that Aimee was covered in feces; had frostbite on all four paws; and reeked of urine while weighing 15.2 pounds. Shelter officials tried to nurse the puppy back to health but Aimee died before she could undergo surgery at a specialized facility in Ohio.

Aimee’s story prompted an outpouring of support of the ANNA Shelter – and plenty of anger toward those who would so cruelly abandon a puppy.

State Sen. Dan Laughlin, R-Erie, is circulating a co-sponsorship memorandum for a bill he is calling Aimee’s Law to create a publicly accessible registry of individuals convicted of felony animal abuse offenses.

“This heartbreaking case shows the urgent need for stronger accountability for those who commit cruel acts against animals,” Laughlin said. “No animal should suffer as Aimee did. Aimee’s Law will give communities a tool to prevent repeat offenses and protect both animals and the people around them.”

Under Aimee’s Law, anyone convicted of felony animal cruelty or aggravated cruelty to animals would be required to be placed on a publicly accessible registry, similar to Megan’s Law.

The registry would increase transparency, help law enforcement track repeat offenders, and support enforcement of existing penalties for egregious animal abuse.

Aimee’s Law won’t end animal abuse. There will always be people who own an animal and then find themselves unable to pay for its care. But Aimee’s Law will help keep those people from owning more animals in the future – and that’s a fitting tribute to both Aimee but those who worked tirelessly to help the puppy before her death.