Gov. DeSantis Signs Animal Cruelty Law Making It a FELONY to Restrain or Abandon Dog During Emergency

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis just signed the “Trooper’s Law” bill, which will make it a third-degree felony to abandon or leave a dog tied up somewhere during emergencies, like a hurricane or storm.

Check it out:

🇺🇸GOV. DESANTIS: LEAVING A DOG CHAINED IN A STORM WILL NOW BE A FELONY

“I’m going to sign Trooper’s Law, legislation that makes it a third-degree felony to restrain or abandon a dog outdoors during a declared natural disaster, any time a mandatory or voluntary evacuation order… pic.twitter.com/z2a500U5xL

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) May 29, 2025

The law is named after a dog that a Florida Highway Patrol trooper found chained up and left for dead by its owners during Hurricane Milton.

The man who left Trooper chained up before the hurricane was arrested, and luckily, the dog found a new home.

🚨 #BREAKING: A Florida man has been arrested after abandoning and chaining his dog to a fence just before Hurricane Milton hit, Governor Ron DeSantis confirms.

The dog, now named Trooper, went viral last week in a widely shared video and has since found a new home through… pic.twitter.com/6pMkvmGK8i

— HustleBitch (@HustleBitch_) October 15, 2024

WCJB reported:

Hurricane season begins this weekend and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is trying to prevent the tragedies we saw last year.

He signed “Trooper’s Law” on Wednesday, which toughens sentences for people who tie up their dogs outside during a hurricane or natural disaster.

“I think most people have a very soft spot for our four-legged friends,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said.

The new law makes it a felony to restrain a dog outside during a natural disaster. Anyone convicted could face a five-year prison sentence and a $10,000 fine.

“If you evacuate, make sure you are taking your pets. You cannot leave a dog behind if you are in an evacuation zone,” DeSantis said.

The law is because of a now-viral Florida Highway Patrol body cam video showing a state trooper rescuing a Bull Terrier that was tied up along I-75 in Hillsborough County as Hurricane Milton was about to hit last year.

“This story is exactly the type of cruelty we cannot tolerate in the free state of Florida,” DeSantis said.

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“Unconsumable. This is a wonderful step forward, addressing this issue, letting the state know animal cruelty is not tolerated,” Florida Director of Humane World for Animals Kate MacFall said.

In addition to Trooper’s Law, Gov. DeSantis signed Dexter’s Law, which increases penalties for animal abuse.

WPTV explained:

The second bill, Dexter’s Law, increases penalties for convicted animal abusers by creating a sentence multiplier, increasing the likelihood of jail/prison time for offenders.

The law also creates a statewide database through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

The hope is that public accountability will serve as a deterrent.

“People will think twice before they deliberately abuse or neglect an animal,” said Lauree Simmons, founder and president of Big Dog Ranch Rescue.

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