Rep. Meg Weinberger (R-Palm Beach Gardens) is demanding federal action after a man was released from jail following disturbing accusations that he kicked a pit bull to death and set it on fire in Queens, New York on July 24. An animal rights advocate, Rep. Weinberger wrote her call for stronger legislation in an op-ed to The Blaze on Wednesday.
"Kicking a dog to death, setting it on fire, and walking free the same day isn’t just a failure of justice—it’s a moral collapse," Weinberger said. "Animal cruelty isn’t just horrific; it’s a warning sign for future violence. It’s time for federal action NOW!"
Despite the horrific incident, the man was reportedly not charged and released without bail under New York's laws, which Weinberger called a "failure of justice" and "moral collapse."
Elected to the Florida House in 2024, Weinberger sponsored “Dexter’s Law," which requires the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to post the names of individuals convicted of animal cruelty.
In addition, Dexter's Law establishes a sentencing multiplier for animal abusers who intentionally torture or torment a dog or any animal to the point of harm or death.
Rep. Linda Chaney also carried the bill (HB 255), which was signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis in May.
With Florida's passage, Weinberger is calling on other states to do the same, including after the disturbing incident in Queens, a borough of New York City.
According to the New York Post, 29-year-old Isaiah Gurley admitted to kicking his friend's dog, whom he was dog watching, until it died before bringing it onto the street and lighting it on fire with accelerant. He was later indicted by police on aggravated animal cruelty, fifth-degree arson, reckless endangerment and petit larceny charges; however, he was still cut loose under New York's lax bail laws.
Gurley is set to return to court in September.
