FLORIDA – Florida legislators are pushing for a new law that would prevent convicted animal abusers from adopting pets, a move aimed at reducing repeat offenses and strengthening animal protection measures.
The proposed bill would establish a public database listing individuals with animal cruelty convictions, giving shelters, breeders, and private pet sellers a tool to screen potential adopters before placing animals in their care.
Under Senate Bill 494, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) would be required to create and maintain an online registry of individuals who have been convicted of or pleaded guilty to animal cruelty…