Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed two new bills into law aimed at enhancing protections for animals statewide. Trooper’s Law and Dexter’s Law introduce harsher penalties for animal cruelty and create new legal safeguards for pets during natural disasters.
Trooper’s Law (Senate Bill 150) makes it a third-degree felony to restrain and abandon a dog outdoors during a declared disaster or under evacuation orders—whether voluntary or mandatory. Violators may face up to five years in prison and $10,000 in fines. The bill also codifies first-degree misdemeanor charges for failing to provide confined animals with basic necessities or for abandoning them altogether.
The legislation is named after Trooper, a dog who was found chained and left behind during Hurricane Milton before being rescued by the Florida Highway Patrol.
“Across Florida, we have seen horrifying instances of animal cruelty that demand a stronger response,” said DeSantis. “Florida stands by man’s best friend.”
The second bill, Dexter’s Law, focuses on broader reforms to ensure animals are protected before, during, and after emergencies, reinforcing Florida’s commitment to animal welfare.
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