Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

A new Florida law took effect on January 1 that requires the state to maintain a public database of people convicted of aggravated animal cruelty charges. “Dexter’s Law” was named for a dog adopted from a shelter and killed just days later.

Unfortunately, there are no birthdays, photographs, the names of the counties where the crime occurred or where the people live, to provide more identifying information. That is about to change.

The House and Senate unanimously voted to correct the defect.

If signed by the Governor, as expected, the updated registry will include, “aliases, date of birth, race, counties of conviction, charges, case numbers, dispositions, descriptions of any identifying marks and tattoos and a photograph of a person.”

By knowing the right lies to tell and which truths to omit, convicted animal abusers can potentially acquire animals from shelters, rescuers, and others who lack access to valuable information to help them make better, more informed choices. An “Animal Abuser Registry,” modeled on laws now protecting children, strips abusers of this advantage by requiring those abusers to register with the state.

The No Kill Advocacy Center has model legislation for individuals seeking to enact a similar law in their city, county, or state.