Florida is protecting its pooches — and cracking down on those who mistreat the four-legged friends.
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed two animal rights bills on May 28 at a rescue organization in Palm Beach County.
The bills include Trooper’s Law, which will make it a crime to restrain animals outside during natural disasters and abandon them.
It’s named after the bull terrier that captured the attention of people around the state when he was found in chest-high water, tied to a fence off of Interstate 75 during Hurricane Milton.
His story got a happy ending when he was adopted by a Parkland couple after being taken to the Leon County Humane Society.
The offense would be a third-degree felony, punishable by a fine up to $10,000 or prison time.
And he signed Dexter’s Law, would require the Department of Law Enforcement to post the names of people who have violated animal cruelty laws online.
It’s named after a dog found decapitated at Fort DeSoto Beach days after he was adopted from the Pinellas County Animal Shelter, according to NBC affiliate WFLA.
DeSantis signed these pieces of legislation at Big Dog Ranch Rescue in Loxahatchee.
Trooper’s journey: Dog tied to fence, abandoned during Hurricane Milton, inspires change
Florida state trooper Orlando Morales rescued the bull terrier after the pooch was abandoned tied to a pole on I-75 as Hurricane Milton approached Florida.
What is ‘Trooper’s Law?’
The bills include Trooper’s Law, which will make it a crime to restrain animals outside during natural disasters and then abandon them.
Was the bull terrier tied to the fence during the hurricane?
Trooper was rescued by a Florida state trooper on the side of I-75 near Bruce B Downs Blvd. on the morning of Oct. 9, 2024.
Hurricane Milton made landfall on Florida’s west coast around 8:30 p.m. that night.
What happened to the owner of the dog in Hurricane Milton?
Giovanny Aldama Garcia, 23, was identified as the owner of “Trooper,” the abandoned dog left tied to a fence standing in a pool of water amid Hurricane Milton evacuations in Florida.
Garcia was arrested on Oct. 14, 2024.
The following day, State Attorney Suzy Lopez shared in a press release that Garcia was charged with aggravated animal cruelty, after admitting to leaving his dog, formerly known as “Jumbo,” on the interstate because he “couldn’t find anyone to pick the dog up.”
He faces up to five years in prison. His case status was unavailable as of May 28.
Where is ‘Trooper’ the dog now?
The five-year-old Bull terrier was taken in by the Leon County Humane Society on Oct. 9.
Trooper then was placed in a foster care home with owners who had experience with his breed, according to the Leon County Humane Society.
In December, Trooper was adopted by Frank and Carla Spina and now lives with new friend Dallas, a seven-year-old mini Bull terrier, in Parkland.
Trooper faced multiple health scares, however, and his new family supported him as he underwent successful surgery to remove cancerous tumors.
X-rays also found foreign substances inside his stomach. Trooper had about two pounds of rubber and plastic removed, according to specialist veterinary surgeon Randy Dominguez.
How to report animal abuse and animal cruelty
The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida urges you to call 911 if you witness an animal in a life-threatening situation. It is a crime to abuse or cruelly kill an animal, or to confine an animal without sufficient food, water or exercise in Florida.
To report the abuse of wild animals such as illegal hunting or fishing, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at (888) 404-3922 or report the incident online.
Contributing: Kyla A Sanford, Gabriel Velasquez Neira and Ella Thompson of FRESH TAKE FLORIDA.
This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Trooper’s tale: From being Tallahassee rescue dog to inspiring Florida law
Reporting by Staff reports / Tallahassee Democrat
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