LOXAHATCHEE, Fla. – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a news conference at Big Dog Ranch in Florida to discuss important initiatives supporting veterans and animal welfare.
Joined by Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Commissioner Wilton Simpson and Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Melanie Griffin, DeSantis reflected on the challenges faced by veterans returning from Iraq and Afghanistan, particularly those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
One effective solution has been pairing veterans suffering from PTSD with specially trained service dogs. DeSantis praised organizations like Canines for Warriors, which train and match these dogs with veterans.
“I will tell you, they had a very low suicide rate once that happened,” said DeSantis.
The governor also highlighted Florida’s efforts to protect police and service animals. His administration signed Senate Bill 388, allowing emergency vehicles to transport injured police dogs to veterinary clinics and enabling EMTs and paramedics to provide emergency care to these animals.
Additionally, Senate Bill 96 increased penalties for intentionally harming police canines, horses, fire canines, and search and rescue dogs.
“These canines are a huge force multiplier,” DeSantis said, recalling their critical role in military and law enforcement operations.
Further, House Bill 1047 increased criminal penalties for harming or harassing animals working with police, firefighters, or search and rescue teams.
“When we say back the blue, we include our police canines,” DeSantis said.
The governor also addressed animal abuse more broadly, citing recent laws named Trooper’s Law and Dexter’s Law, passed after cases of animal abandonment and cruelty. These laws increase sentencing for animal torture and create an online database of convicted abusers to prevent them from adopting pets.
DeSantis acknowledged concerns about unethical breeding practices and puppy mills in Florida. He announced plans for the upcoming legislative session to introduce new laws to end inhumane breeding conditions.
He proposed partnering with the Florida Department of Agriculture to develop best practices for ethical dog breeding and licensing breeders to hold them accountable for abuse, such as overcrowding, lack of water, and exposure to extreme weather.
The governor also plans to establish a hotline for reporting animal abuse by breeders and require pet stores to prioritize space for local shelter adoptions over selling dogs from puppy mills.
“We will also seek to protect consumers from predatory practices when it comes to purchasing dogs and increasing transparency to ensure people are not being roped into usurious financial agreements," DeSantis said.
Finally, DeSantis announced legislation to increase penalties for abusing or torturing animals in front of minors, recognizing the lasting psychological harm it can cause.