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Both these bills will save lives. Not possibly, not hopefully, they will save lives
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Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed two new laws Wednesday crafted to protect animals from abuse and neglect
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The move comes after a dog was found tied to a pole in Tampa during Hurricane Milton last October
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Troopers saved the dog just as floodwaters were rising. The water was rising very quickly and so it was getting close to his neck
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And had he just been left there, he may have ended up drowning
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The incident led to troopers law named after the rescued dog. It's now a felony to tie up and abandon a dog during a declared disaster or evacuation
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Offenders could receive up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine
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That law takes effect October 1st. If you evacuate, make sure you're taking care of your pets
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You cannot leave a dog behind if you're in an evacuation zone
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DeSantis says, unfortunately, Florida has been home to many dogs on the receiving end of abuse
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He points to a dog named Dexter who was adopted from a shelter and four days later was found killed
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Dexter's law takes effect this summer on July 1st. It also creates Florida's first animal abuser database and enhances penalties for aggravated cruelty
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For Straight Arrow News, I'm Kaylee Carey. For more unbiased, fact-driven stories, download the Straight Arrow News mobile app today
