While it would be a bonus feature that humans benefit from this law too, it isn't always about us.
Animals have a pulse, feel pain, get forced against their will, exploited and suffer everyday because we can't be bothered to see that, or take their wishes and wellbeing into account. They aren't objects for us to take our frustrations out on, to be kicked when we cannot be mature enough to deal with life, or tossed away and left to starve because we cannot be responsible enough to care for them, despite having paid for them and literally owning them - after making them entirely dependable on us.
It's the modern form of accepted slavery with all its entitled power-hungry, sadistic, impulse-buying perks that goes unchecked. And it is funny how nobody bats an eye at this, while we gasp in horror at people trafficking humans and forcing them to bend to their 'owners' will.
I honestly could care less about what it does to the humans reputation if he feels the need to abuse an animal. To me, this reasoning is akin to one used so the rich kid with the important daddy can get away with rape because the police commissioner decided she asked for it and he does not need this kind of bullshit on his record as it might jeopardise his bright future. Besides, the article clearly states that there will be a record of what the offence entailed, giving you an idea of how severe the crime was.
You do the crime, you do the time. It is as simple as that.
This registry is a start at least - animal rights and especially their execution wrt removing the power and privileges people hold at their expense atm still has a long way to go.