Pet owners in Florida now face the harsh penalty of a third-degree felony for abandoning a restrained animal outside during a natural disaster, under new legislation that took effect in October.
Known as “Trooper’s Law” (Senate Bill 150), the measure is one of several new laws signed by Governor Ron DeSantis designed to address issues arising from extreme weather and enhance public safety.
The legislation was directly inspired by the widely publicized rescue of a bull terrier named Trooper, who was found tied up to a fence along I-75 with rising floodwaters up to his chest ahead of Hurricane Milton last year.
RELATED: Florida Highway Patrol Rescues Abandoned Dog Tied To Pole Amid Hurricane Evacuation
“Across Florida, we have seen horrifying instances of animal cruelty that demand a stronger response,” said Gov. Ron DeSantis in a statement upon signing the bill. “I was proud to sign Trooper’s and Dexter’s Law today. Florida stands by man’s best friend.”
New Felony Offense for Abandonment
“Trooper’s Law” creates a new, enhanced animal cruelty offense that targets owners who restrain a dog outside during a natural disaster and subsequently abandon it. A conviction for this felony could result in up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. The law defines a natural disaster as a situation where a hurricane, tropical storm, or tornado warning has been issued, or an area is under a mandatory or voluntary evacuation order.
The bill also codifies existing penalties for failing to provide confined animals with sufficient water, food, and exercise, or for abandoning an animal in general, as misdemeanors of the first degree.
Alongside “Trooper’s Law,” the governor also signed “Dexter’s Law,” which enhances penalties for aggravated animal cruelty and establishes the state’s first animal abuser database to help shelters and communities prevent future abuse. RELATED: Microchip Leads Deputies To St. Petersburg Man Who Cut Off His Dog’s Head
Other Significant Legislation
The new laws coming into effect under the DeSantis administration cover a range of issues, from property safety to criminal justice reform.
In a move that has drawn national attention, Florida became the first state to allow the death penalty in child sex trafficking cases where the victim is under the age of 12.
“For future criminals who wanna commit this act, I think this is a good deterrent for them,” Seanna Martinez, a sex trafficking survivor and supporter of the law, told CBS News. The law faces potential legal challenges, as the U.S. Supreme Court has previously limited the death penalty to crimes involving death.
Other measures include:
- Flood Risk Disclosure: New requirements compel landlords and mobile home park owners to disclose certain details about flood risks and past flooding at their properties to potential tenants and buyers.
- Mental Illness in Courts: Alternative means for prosecuting defendants with mental illnesses.
- Sexual Offender Registry: Revisions for requirements to report sexual predators and offenders.
The slew of legislation marks a significant push by the Sunshine State to adapt its laws to both the perennial threat of extreme weather and its zero-tolerance approach to certain violent crimes.
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