TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A bill that penalizes anyone who leaves a dog tied up outside during a natural disaster passed the Florida Senate unanimously Wednesday.
The law would make restraining a dog outside during a hurricane, tropical storm, or tornado warning a third-degree felony. That’s punishable by up to five years in prison, and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
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SB 150 is also known as “Trooper’s Law,” named after the dog that was found tied to a fence along I-75 hours before Hurricane Milton made landfall.
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The five-year-old dog was found by a Florida Highway Patrol trooper and rescued, and later adopted by a new family. According to reporting by CBS, Trooper has since survived cancer surgery and vets had to remove dozens of pieces of garbage from his stomach last February.
Trooper’s former owner, Giovanny Garcia, is charged with aggravated animal cruelty.
Meanwhile, a Florida House version of the bill, HB 205, is also headed for a full vote.
It’s not the only bill going after animal cruelty this session. State Sen. Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach, is proposing a bill to stiffen penalties for animal cruelty, and another bill to start a statewide database for people charged with animal abuse.