School shooters and animal abusers have a lot more in common than you would think, 43% of schools shooters have a history of animal cruelty. People, especially children who harm animals shows signs that they are being abused at home and more likely to cause greater harm as they age. 

Massachusetts state laws defines animal cruelty as abuse, neglect and failure to provide proper care such as food, water, shelter, or veterinary care. It is a felony punishable as up to 7 years in state prison with a fine of $5,000. After serving their time they are let back out with no restraints on getting their hands on another animal. 

That is why my proposition of Massachusetts having a law requiring people convicted of animal cruelty to be put on a registry. Shelters will have access to these registry and will adapt their adoption process to check the registry when someone comes in to adopt an animal, denying anyone with a history of animal cruelty. This will not only save animal lives but also humans.