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Last year, Florida lawmakers passed Dexter's Law and Trooper's Law, respectively named after two dogs who suffered abuse, to increase penalties for animal cruelty, and now they're going even further by unanimously passing new legislation to protect animals and children from abuse.

Urge Gov. Ron DeSantis to sign HB 559 into law!

Dexter was killed in a horrifying way right after being adopted, while Trooper was rescued by a Florida Highway Patrol trooper after being found tied to a fence during a hurricane. Both cases ignited public outrage and led to stronger animal protection laws in their honor.

Now, lawmakers have unanimously passed HB 559, which would add crimes to state law that would make it a third-degree felony for an adult to commit animal cruelty in front of a minor, or encourage a minor to commit animal cruelty, and would require minors to undergo counseling and treatment. It also increases civil penalties for certain egregious acts, such as animal fighting.

Additionally, it would clarify Dexter's Law, which created a statewide abuser registry, by defining what needs to be published by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and for how long, to avoid cases of mistaken identity.

Letter to Decision Maker(s) for reference:

Subject: Sign HB 559 to Protect Animals and Children

As someone concerned with animal welfare, I’m writing to urge you to sign HB 559 into law to further your state’s commitment to protecting animals and children from abuse.
 
The crimes that inspired Dexter’s Law and Trooper’s Law ignited widespread public outrage for good reason, and the swift response with legislation to address cases like theirs should be applauded.
 
I hope you will go further for animals and children in your state by signing this bill, which will add crimes to state law that would make it a third-degree felony for an adult to commit animal cruelty in the presence of a minor, or entice a minor to commit animal cruelty, and require minors to undergo counseling and treatment to break the cycle of abuse.
 
Additionally, it would clarify Dexter’s Law, which created a statewide abuser registry, by defining the terms of what needs to be published by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and for how long, which will help address concerns about cases of mistaken identity.
 
Animals and children are the most vulnerable members of our society and deserve to be protected from harm, while those who commit crimes against them must face meaningful consequences that reflect the severity of the suffering they cause.
 
I hope you will sign this much-needed legislation. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

Sincerely,

Signed

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