Florida Bill Would Increase Penalties for Animal Cruelty Offenders, Post Names of Abusers

ORMOND BEACH, Fla. - Animal cruelty offenders could face increased penalties and punishments under two bills filed on Wednesday in the Florida Legislature by state Sen. Tom Leek.

Under SB 502, individuals convicted of the primary offense of animal cruelty to a domestic animal would have their sentence points multiplied by 1.25, per the Florida Criminal Punishment Code. The bill defines the term "domestic animal" as common house pets, including dogs, cats, rabbits, birds, and hamsters.

The bill does not cover animals used for agricultural purposes or those permitted as captive wildlife.

Rep. Linda Chaney (R-St. Pete Beach) sponsored a similar bill in the House.

Leak also filed another bill, SB 494, to require the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to post the names of animal cruelty offenders on its website.

Last October, Florida residents were shocked after a dog was found tied to a fence as Hurricane Milton approached the state. The dog, later named Trooper, was rescued by the state Highway Patrol and later adopted by a Florida family out of Parkland.

The former owner of the dog was later arrested and charged with animal cruelty.

Representing Senate District 7, Leak defeated Democratic candidate George Hill II by nearly 37 points in the SD 7 general election last November. SD 7 covers Flager, Putnam, and St. Johns counties as well as part of Volusia County in Northeast Florida.

Leak also was a member of the Florida House of Representatives from 2016-2024.

If passed, SB 502 would take effect upon becoming a law. SB 494 would take effect if passed on July 1.