Trooper’s Law was named after a dog left behind in floodwaters during Hurricane Milton. Dexter’s Law was named after a dog found decapitated at Fort De Soto Park.
TAMPA, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis signed two animal cruelty bills named after a dog that was abandoned during a hurricane and another that was violently killed after being adopted.
The governor signed the legislation — based on crimes against two dogs in the Tampa Bay area — Wednesday morning at Big Dog Ranch Rescue in South Florida.
Trooper’s Law makes it a third-degree felony to restrain or abandon a dog outside during a natural disaster. Anyone who violates this law could face a five-year prison sentence and a fine of up to $10,000. It also creates fines for people who abandon their pets or those who don’t provide confined animals with proper food, water or exercise.
“Florida will not tolerate cruelty to animals, especially in times of crisis,” DeSantis said at a news release.
The bill was inspired by a bull terrier who was left tied to a fence on the side of Interstate 75 in Tampa, facing belly-high floodwaters as Category 5 Hurricane Milton approached the state. A Florida Highway Patrol trooper spotted the dog, rescued him and posted a video of the encounter on social media where it has been seen by more than 12 million people.
“What would possess you to do that?” DeSantis asked. “It just makes no sense.”
The governor also signed Dexter’s Law, which will allow for a sentencing multiplier for animal abuse crimes. An offender could face harsher penalties in severe cases of abuse. It will also require the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to post the names of certain individuals who have violated animal cruelty laws on its website.
It’s named after the dog that was found decapitated in Pinellas County. The owner, Domingo Rodriguez, adopted the dog days before the animal was found dead at Fort DeSoto Park. He was convicted of aggravated cruelty to animals and unlawful disposal of bodies of dead animals by a jury in February.
“There’s people that just don’t have the same basic care for these pets and animals, and it can turn very sadistic,” DeSantis said.
Trooper’s Law will go into effect on Oct. 1, while Dexter’s Law will go into effect on July 1.
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