Trooper’s Law, inspired by a Bull Terrier who was abandoned and tied to a pole during Hurricane Milton evacuations last October, unanimously passed 39-0 in the Florida Senate on Wednesday.
Sen. Don Gaetz (R-Sponsored) sponsored the bill (SB 150) in the Senate. Rep. Philip Wayne “Griff” Griffitts, Jr. (R-Panama City) filed a House version (HB 205).
Trooper’s Law would create a new offense of animal neglect for abandoning a restrained dog outside during a natural disaster, such as a hurricane, tropical storm, or tornado. The penalty for an offense would be a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison and/or a fine of as much as $10,000…