Florida: Dexter and Trooper's law

I would like to give a shout out to the state of Florida and Gov. Ron DeSantis on the passing of two animal cruelty laws.

Dexter’s Law is legislation designed to increase the accountability and punishment for those who commit acts of animal cruelty. The law was named in honor of a shelter dog named Dexter who was brutally killed shortly after being adopted in 2024. 

His case highlighted the need for stricter deterrents and better tracking of individuals with a history of animal abuse.

​The most significant feature of this law is the creation of Florida’s statewide animal abuser registry, which officially launched on January 1, 2026. This publicly searchable database is managed by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and includes the names and photos of individuals convicted of animal cruelty crimes. The primary goal of the registry is to prevent known abusers from adopting or purchasing new animals, as shelters and private sellers can now verify a person’s background before a placement is made.

​Beyond the registry, Dexter’s Law fundamentally changes how animal cruelty cases are handled in court by introducing a sentencing multiplier. This legal mechanism increases the "score" of a cruelty offense by 25 percent during the sentencing phase, which effectively makes prison time much more likely for those who intentionally torture or kill animals. Additionally, the law ensures these crimes remain on a person's permanent record by prohibiting the sealing or expunging of animal cruelty convictions. This ensures that an abuser’s history remains transparent to the public and law enforcement forever.

This registry includes both misdemeanor and felony offenses. This includes unnecessarily overloading, overdriving, or tormenting an animal. It also covers depriving an animal of necessary food, water, or shelter, as well as transporting an animal in a cruel or inhumane manner. This applies to anyone who intentionally commits an act that results in the cruel death of an animal or the excessive and repeated infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering.

It also prohibits abandoning an animal to suffer from injury, hunger, or exposure. And those convicted of animal fighting or baiting, as well as sexual contact with an animal.

While the law was signed in May 2025, it followed a phased rollout: 

• ​July 1, 2025: The enhanced sentencing penalties (the 1.25x multiplier) went into effect.

• ​January 1, 2026: The statewide animal abuser registry was officially launched for public use.

Trooper’s Law is a Florida law that makes it a third-degree felony to abandon a restrained animal during a declared natural disaster. It was signed into law on May 28, 2025, and went into effect on October 1, 2025. 

​The law was inspired by a Bull Terrier named Trooper who became a symbol of resilience during Hurricane Milton in 2024. 

​As Hurricane Milton approached the Florida coast, a Florida Highway Patrol trooper found a white Bull Terrier tied to a fence along Interstate 75 near Tampa. The dog was standing in chest-high water, abandoned by his owner who was fleeing the storm. Video of the rescue went viral, showing the dog growling in fear before being safely rescued. 

The dog was later renamed "Trooper" in honor of the officer who saved him. After his rescue, it was discovered that he had been severely neglected; he had over two pounds of trash, metal, and plastic in his stomach from being starved, and he later had to beat a cancer diagnosis. Today, Trooper lives with a loving family in South Florida.

​The law was created to close a loophole in Florida's existing animal cruelty statutes, which did not specifically address abandonment during emergencies. 

• ​Felony Charges: It is now a third-degree felony to leave a dog restrained (such as tied to a fence, pole, or tree) and unattended during a man-made or natural disaster, or during a voluntary or mandatory evacuation order.

• ​Stiff Penalties: Offenders face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

• Welfare Requirements: The law also mandates that anyone keeping an animal confined must provide adequate food, water, shelter, and exercise. Failing to do so—even in non-emergency situations—can lead to first-degree misdemeanor charges.

• ​Scope: The law applies during disasters declared by the National Weather Service or state/local governments, ensuring that animals cannot be "left behind" to drown or be hit by debris while their owners evacuate.

By signing Trooper’s Law alongside Dexter’s Law, Florida sent a clear message that pet owners are legally responsible for the safety of their animals during the state's frequent hurricanes and storms. 

• As of the current 2025-2026 legislative session, New York has been advancing Assembly Bill A9024 and Senate Bill S8084. If fully enacted, these would create a Statewide Animal Abuser Registry managed by the Division of Criminal Justice Services, identical in function to the one in Florida.