Tennessee is making sure man's best friend is protected in the new year.
The state will start tracking convicted animal abusers online, much like a Megan's Law registry for sex offenders, WBIR reported.
>>Read: FBI to keep closer tabs on animal cruelty cases
The country's first Animal Abuse Registry will be accessible on Friday. It will list people who have been convicted of intentionally hurting animals. It will also provide the person's photo, age and where they live.
To be listed, a person must be convicted of aggravated animal cruelty or felony animal fighting. First-time offenders will be on the list for two years. Those convicted of a second offense will be on the registry for five years, WBIR reported.
The FBI will also begin tracking animal cruelty cases, officials announced last year. The data collection will also begin in 2016, Huffington Post reported.
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