PETITION TARGET: Speaker of the House Mike Johnson
Just one day after he was adopted, a 4-year-old bulldog mix named Dexter was found decapitated inside a plastic bag that was floating among the mangroves at a park in Pinellas County, Florida, according to local news.
Inspired by Dexter’s case, U.S. Representative Greg Steube introduced the Law Enforcement Animal Safety and Harm Reporting Act of 2026, also known as the LEASH Act, which would create a nationwide, publicly accessible database of people convicted of felony animal cruelty.
“Animal cruelty is a heinous crime that often signals a pattern of escalating violence,” Steube said. “Florida has taken important steps to crack down on these crimes, and this legislation extends Florida’s model to better protect animals and help shelters place pets in safe homes.”
The aim of this bill is to strengthen animal cruelty enforcement and help shelters, rescues, and other organizations identify individuals convicted of felony animal cruelty before they can obtain another animal. Supporters say a national database could also deter abusers from moving to other states and continuing to harm animals.
Dexter’s horrific death should not be in vain, and lawmakers must take action to improve public awareness of convicted animal abusers to help safeguard vulnerable animals.
Sign our petition urging the Speaker of the House to support the LEASH Act and help establish a nationwide database of felony animal cruelty offenders.
