The Senate Committee on Criminal Justice favored a bill 8-0 on Tuesday that would make it a third-degree felony for adults to entice a minor to commit, or in a minor's presence, offenses related to aggravated animal cruelty, animal fighting or baiting, and sexual activities involving animals.
Sen. Kristen Arrington (D-Kissimmee) filed the Senate Bill (SB 1732). Rep. Johanna Lopez (D-Orlando) sponsored the House version (HB 1395).
Kristen Arrington explained one pretty horrific instance of animal cruelty for her bill to the committee.
"Some of the stories I read and researched are horrible. Just recently last month in Clay County, there was a step-parent that forced their children to kill their family pig with a hammer and then dispose of the body in a retention pond of the neighbors," Arrington said.
Arrington also explained the strike-all amendment to the bill.
"This strike-all amendment does two things: One it aims to provide criminal penalties for adults to cause or entice a minor to commit or in the presence of a minor commit(s) a specified violation of law relating to animal cruelty. "Additionally, it increases the level on the offense severity ranking chart for fighting or baiting animals," Arrington said.
"With the amendment and the strike-all, the amendment adds language to provide increased penalties for contributing to the delinquency of a minor. "The penalties increase to one level below the offense that child was encouraged to induce or commit," Arrington added.
Along with Arrington, other lawmakers have filed legislation to increase penalties for animal cruelty offenders. Another Florida bill was sparked after a dog was abandoned and tied to a pole after Hurricane Milton last October.
SB 1732 now heads to the Agricultural Committee for consideration. If fully passed, the bill would take effect on Oct. 1.
