One of the laws that Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law to stop animal abuse was based on a dog that was left behind during Hurricane Milton in 2024.
The bills, called “Trooper’s Law” and “Dexter’s Law,” were signed into law on Wednesday at a dog rescue center in South Florida.
Trooper’s Law says it is a third-degree felony to keep a dog outside during a natural disaster or emergency preparation phase and leave it there.
The name of the rule comes from the dog that was found chained to a fence west of Tampa along Interstate 75 while people were leaving before Hurricane Milton.
A member of the Florida Highway Patrol saved the bull terrier, so the dog was given the name “Trooper,” which fits.
The new law says that people who do similar things can now get up to five years in jail and a $10,000 fine.
The other important bill, called “Dexter’s Law,” makes it harder to get away with serious animal abuse.
The dog in St. Petersburg that gave rise to Dexter’s Law was killed not long after being adopted.
The bill also lets the Florida Department of Law Enforcement make a list of people who have been guilty of crimes that hurt animals.
Once the database is public, people will be able to look for people who have been found guilty of cruelty to animals.
In October of this year, Trooper’s Law will likely go into effect. On July 1, Dexter’s Law will go into effect.
DeSantis said, “Across Florida, we have seen horrifying acts of animal cruelty that demand a stronger response.” “Today I was proud to sign Trooper’s Law and Dexter’s Law.” The state of Florida stands by man’s best friend.
DeSantis said, “Across Florida, we have seen horrifying acts of animal cruelty that demand a stronger response.” “It was an honor to sign Dexter’s Law and Trooper’s Law today.” Florida backs the best friend of man.
Other measures in limbo linked to the hurricane
Even though a lot of bills were signed on Wednesday, some hurricane-related laws are still not law yet because the warm weather season starts in a few days.
After seeing how badly a falling crane in a downtown St. Petersburg skyscraper during Hurricane Milton’s 100-mph winds damaged buildings, lawmakers made it a law that construction sites must secure cranes and other equipment before the winds come.
The governor hasn’t signed the bill yet, and he hasn’t said that he will.
The legislature hasn’t even passed the state’s annual budget yet, which means that the tax breaks that some people depend on to buy hurricane supplies are on hold.
For a short time, Florida’s Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday lets people sell lamps, batteries, tarps, and other important items without having to pay sales tax on them.
The storm season in the Atlantic basin lasts from June 1 to November 30, but September and October are the worst months for Florida.
“This article was written by Mathew Owen. AI tools were used lightly for grammar and formatting, but the ideas, words, and edits are all mine.”
