The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) is set to launch its new online animal abuse registry on Thursday, January 1st, 2026, which will allow Floridians to publicly see individuals within the state convicted of animal cruelty.
Gov. Ron DeSantis shared the update on social media.
"January 1, 2026 — FLDE will launch Florida’s new animal abuse registry," DeSantis wrote. "Don't let convicted animal abusers own additional pets!"
The registry was made possible by "Dexter's Law," which requires the FDLE to create a public registry of individuals convicted of harming animals, including dogs and cats. The bill also established a sentence multiplier for aggravated animal cruelty.
Rep. Linda Chaney (R-St. Pete Beach) sponsored the bill in the House. Sen. Tom Leek (R-St. Augustine) championed the Senate version.
Sen. Leek has also sponsored similar bills to protect animals.
The bill honored a four-year-old pit bull mix named Dexter, who was decapitated just hours after his adoption and dumped in Fort De Soto Park in Pinellas County back in 2024. Gov. DeSantis signed the bill into law in May.
Broward Bark also shared details of the bill in the post.
"The law takes a strict stand on aggravated animal cruelty and carries serious penalties," Broward Bark wrote. "A conviction can affect your record, your reputation, your job, your housing, and even your ability to have pets in the future."
Like Dexter's Law, Florida has passed several other bills to protect animals. They include "Trooper's Law," which made it a third-degree felony to abandon an animal during a natural disaster, such as a hurricane or tornado.
The law was established after a Bull Terrier, later named "Trooper," was found tied to a fence post during Hurricane Milton in October 2024.
Sen. Don Gaetz (R-Pensacola) sponsored the bill in the Senate. Rep. Phillip Wayne "Griff" Griffitts, Jr. (R-Panama City) led a similar bill in the House.
It’s about time something is done about these “humans” that prey on all animals, with the intent to maim and or kill them. I believe if you take a life, you forfeit your life, as we all know animal abusers are only using dogs, cats, and other animals in place of the lives they really want to take,,,and yes it’s been proven, serial killers practice on house pets first.
We need stronger laws in this country against animal abuser’s and killers,,,and those who don’t feel that way,are just as guilty as those who abuse, maim and kill those that can’t ask for help.