As hurricane season begins, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed Senate Bill 150 – known as Trooper’s Law — to increase penalties for individuals who restrain and abandon dogs outdoors during natural disasters in the state, according to local news.
Lady Freethinker is grateful to Florida lawmakers for passing this critical legislation and to the 35,000+ individuals who signed our petition in support of its passage.
The law, named after a dog found abandoned and tied to a fence along a Florida highway as Hurricane Milton approached, makes similar acts a third-degree felony, which could result in up to five years of imprisonment, a maximum fine of $10,000, or both. This legislation will go into effect on October 1.
“There’s really no reason that you would need to be in a situation where you’re leaving a dog behind,” DeSantis said.
Trooper’s law wasn’t the only significant animal protection bill Governor DeSantis signed that day — he also signed Dexter’s Law, named after a dog at the center of another high-profile animal cruelty case, who was found decapitated in a Florida park soon after being adopted.
Set to go into effect July 1, this law will create a statewide animal abuser database and increase penalties for aggravated animal cruelty.
“Across Florida, we have seen horrifying instances of animal cruelty that demand a stronger response,” DeSantis stated. “I was proud to sign Trooper’s Law and Dexter’s Law today. Florida stands by man’s best friend.”
Lady Freethinker applauds Florida for strengthening protections against severe animal abuse and abandonment, and urges other states to adopt similar lifesaving measures.
