Gov. Ron DeSantis visited Loxahatchee’s Big Dog Ranch to sign animal welfare legislation that passed the Senate and the House without a single “no” vote.
One bill protects animals from abuse. The other protects consumers from shady pet dealers.
DeSantis described HB 559 as legislation that was as “strong as any state in the country.” The measure outlines what the law will do regarding ensuring children aren’t roped into animal abuse and “creates new felony offenses for adults who involve minors in aggravated animal cruelty, animal fighting, or sexual abuse involving animals.”
It also increases penalties for animal fighting and baiting, requires psychological evaluation and treatment for youth who abuse animals, expands the state’s animal abuse offender database, and enhances penalties for repeat animal cruelty violations.
DeSantis described SB 1004 as being “more about protecting consumers who want to adopt animals, that make sure that they’re not being taken advantage of, and those transactions are good.”
The law requires transparent financing terms and gives consumers the right to terminate those contracts without penalty if the animals were diseased or otherwise unfit for purchase.
It also compels dealers to provide vet records of the animals they sell, and to give consumers clear, written notice of their rights.
“These are really great reforms. It builds off a lot of what we’ve been doing over many, many years, and I’m glad that we’re here to be able to make it official,” DeSantis said.
Legislative sponsors celebrated the bills becoming law.
Sen. Kristen Arrington said HB 559 was “about prevention, compassion, and ensuring that children grow up in safe and healthy environments,” while House sponsor Linda Chaney said the bill “redirects juveniles onto a path of improved mental health and breaks the cycle of animal abuse, strengthens tools for shelters and rescues to keep animals out of the hands of known abusers, and empowers local governments to stop animal cruelty in their communities.”
Sen. Don Gaetz, who carried SB 1004, deemed the bill “an important step in ensuring that Floridians aren’t taken advantage of by
unscrupulous out-of-state puppy mills.”
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