The Florida Senate
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.)
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Committee on Rules
BILL: CS/SB 150
INTRODUCER: Criminal Justice Committee; Senators Gaetz and Arrington
SUBJECT: Abandoning Restrained Animals During Natural Disasters
DATE: March 11, 2025
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1. Cellon Stokes CJ Fav/CS
2. Becker Becker AG Favorable
3. Cellon Yeatman RC Favorable
Please see Section IX. for Additional Information:
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE - Substantial Changes
I. Summary:
CS/SB 150 amends s. 828.13, F.S., to create a new offense of animal cruelty for abandoning an
animal by using a restraint on the animal and leaving it restrained outside during a natural
disaster. The offense is a third degree felony.
1,2
The bill defines the terms “natural disaster” and “restraint.”
The bill names the act “Trooper’s Law.”
The bill has a positive indeterminate impact. See Section V. Fiscal Impact Statement.
The bill takes effect on October 1, 2025.
1
A third degree felony is punishable by up to five years imprisonment and a $5,000 fine. Sections 775.082, F.S. and 775.083,
F.S.
2
As is the case with other animal cruelty offenses, the bill provides for the possibility of a fine that may be elevated above
the typical fine. For example, the third degree felony fine is generally up to $5,000 but this new offense provides for a fine up
to $10,000. Sections 775.082(3) F.S., 775.083(1)(g), F.S., and 820.13, F.S.
REVISED: 2/28/25 BILL: CS/SB 150 Page 2
II. Present Situation:
Dog Rescued by Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Tied Up During Hurricane Milton
Hurricane Milton struck the state in early October 2024. During the storm, a Florida Highway
Patrol trooper discovered a dog tied to a fence off I-75 surrounded by rising water. The dog, now
named Trooper, was rescued and taken to the Tallahassee Humane Society, where he was
subsequently adopted. This bill addresses that situation.
3
General Animal Cruelty Statutes
Section 828.12(1), F.S., provides first degree misdemeanor penalties
4
for certain cases involving
cruelty to animals. A person commits the crime of animal cruelty if he or she:
• Unnecessarily overloads;
• Overdrives;
• Torments;
• Deprives of necessary sustenance or shelter;
• Unnecessarily mutilates, or kills any animal, or causes such to be done; or
• Carries in or upon any vehicle, or otherwise, any animal in a cruel or inhumane manner.
A person who is convicted of a violation of s. 828.12, F.S., may be prohibited by the court from
owning, possessing, keeping, harboring, or having custody or control over any animal for a
period of time determined by the court.
5
Section 828.12(2), F.S., specifies that a person who intentionally commits an act to any animal,
or a person who owns or has the custody or control of any animal and fails to act, which results
in the cruel death, or excessive or repeated infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering, or causes
the same to be done, commits aggravated animal cruelty, a felony of the third degree.
6
Also, s. 828.13(2)(a), (b), and (c) F.S., provide that a person commits a first degree
misdemeanor
7
if he or she:
• Impounds or confines any animal in any place and fails to supply the animal during such
confinement with a sufficient quantity of good and wholesome food and water;
• Keeps any animals in any enclosure without wholesome exercise and change of air; or
• Abandons to die any animal that is maimed, sick, infirm, or diseased;
3
Tallahassee Democrat, Trooper, abandoned amid Hurricane Milton and sent to Leon County, finds 'fur-ever' home,
December 2, 2024, Kyla A. Sanford, available at https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/local/2024/12/02/trooper-dog-
abandoned-amid-hurricane-milton-finds-fur-ever-home-leon-county-humane-society/76709656007/ (last visited February 28,
2025).
4
A first degree misdemeanor is punishable by up to 1 year in the county jail or a $1,000 fine or both. Sections 775.082, F.S.,
and 775.083, F.S. However, a violation of s. 828.12(1), F.S., may result in a fine of up to $5,000. Section 828.12(1), F.S.
5
Section 828.12(6), F.S.
6
A third degree felony is punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment and a $5,000 fine. Sections 775.082 and 775.083, F.S.
However, a violation of s. 828.12(2), F.S., may result in a fine of up to $10,000. Sections 775.082(3) F.S., 775.083(1)(g),
F.S., and 828.12(2), F.S
7
A first degree misdemeanor is punishable by up to 1 year in the county jail or a $1,000 fine or both. Sections 775.082, F.S.,
and 775.083, F.S. However, a violation of s. 828.13(2), F.S., may result in a fine of up to $5,000. Sections 775.082, 775.083,
and 828.13(2), F.S. BILL: CS/SB 150 Page 3
Section 828.13(3), F.S., prohibits a person who is the owner or possessor or has charge or
custody of any animal who abandons such animal to suffer injury or malnutrition or abandons
any animal in a street, road, or public place without providing for the care, sustenance,
protection, and shelter of such animal which is punishable as a misdemeanor of the first degree.
8
Section 828.13(1)(a), F.S., defines the term “abandon” to mean to forsake an animal entirely or
to neglect or refuse to provide or perform the legal obligations for care and support of an animal
by its owner. The term “owner” is defined as any owner, custodian, or other person in charge of
an animal.
Emergency Powers, Disaster Preparedness
Section 252.36, F.S., specifies that in the event of an emergency beyond local control, the
Governor may assume direct operational control over all or any part of the emergency
management functions within this state and is authorized to delegate such powers as she or he
may deem prudent. The Governor has declared a state of emergency for various weather related
conditions, including numerous hurricanes.
9
Section 252.3568, F.S., provides, in accordance with s. 252.35, F.S.,
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the Division of
Emergency Management within the Executive Office of the Governor (Division) must address
strategies for the evacuation of persons with pets in the shelter component of the state
comprehensive emergency management plan and must include the requirement for similar
strategies in its standards and requirements for local comprehensive emergency management
plans. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the Department of Education
must assist the division in determining strategies regarding this activity.
If a county maintains designated shelters, it must also designate a shelter that can accommodate
persons with pets. The shelter must be in compliance with applicable FEMA Disaster Assistance
Policies and Procedures and with safety procedures regarding the sheltering of pets established in
the shelter component of both local and state comprehensive emergency management plans.
III. Effect of Proposed Changes:
The bill creates a third degree felony
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animal cruelty offense in s. 812.13, F.S., for abandoning
an animal by using a restraint on the animal and leaving it restrained outside during a natural
disaster.
The bill defines the following terms:
8
A first degree misdemeanor is punishable by up to 1 year in the county jail or a $1,000 fine or both. Sections 775.082, F.S.,
and 775.083, F.S. However, a violation of s. 828.13(3), F.S., may result in a fine of up to $5,000. Sections 775.082, and
775.083, F.S. and 828.13(3), F.S..
9
See Fla. Exec. Order No. 24-215 (October 5, 2024), available at, https://www.flgov.com/eog/sites/default/files/executive-
orders/2024/EO-24-215-1.pdf (Last visited February 28, 2025).
10
Section 252.35, F.S., relates to Emergency management powers and the Division of Emergency Management.
11
The third degree felony is punishable by up to 5 years imprisonment, and in these cases up to a $10,000 fine. Sections
775.082(3) F.S., 775.083(1)(g), F.S., and 828.13(4). BILL: CS/SB 150 Page 4
• “Natural disaster” means a situation in which a hurricane, tropical storm, or tornado warning
has been issued for a municipality or a county by the National Weather Service, or in which a
municipality or county is under a mandatory or voluntary evacuation order.
• “Restraint” means a chain, rope, tether, leash, cable, or other device that attaches an animal
to a stationary object or trolley system.
The bill names the act “Trooper’s Law.”
The bill takes effect on October 1, 2025.
IV. Constitutional Issues:
A. Municipality/County Mandates Restrictions:
None.
B. Public Records/Open Meetings Issues:
None.
C. Trust Funds Restrictions:
None.
D. State Tax or Fee Increases:
None.
E. Other Constitutional Issues:
None.
V. Fiscal Impact Statement:
A. Tax/Fee Issues:
None.
B. Private Sector Impact:
None.
C. Government Sector Impact:
The bill has a positive indeterminate impact due to the penalties provided in the bill. It is
unknown how many offenses of animal cruelty have taken place during a declared
emergency, and therefore the prison bed impact cannot be determined. BILL: CS/SB 150 Page 5
VI. Technical Deficiencies:
None.
VII. Related Issues:
None.
VIII. Statutes Affected:
This bill substantially amends the following sections of the Florida Statutes: 828.12
IX. Additional Information:
A. Committee Substitute – Statement of Substantial Changes:
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.)
CS by Criminal Justice on February 11, 2025:
The committee substitute:
• Creates an animal cruelty offense in s. 828.13, F.S., for abandoning an animal by
using a restraint on the animal and leaving it restrained outside during a natural
disaster.
• It defines the terms “natural disaster” and “restraint”.
• The CS names the act “Trooper’s Law”.
B. Amendments:
None.
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.