LAKELAND, Fla. — A bill that would keep pets out of the hands of animal abusers is making its way through the Senate.

What You Need To Know

  • Senate Bill 494 would require the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to publicly list individuals convicted of, or who have pleaded guilty to, animal cruelty

  • The database would help shelters, pet adoption agencies and pet owners screen potential adopters, preventing known abusers from obtaining new animals

  • If passed, the bill will go into effect on July 1

Senate Bill 494 would require the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to list the names of people convicted of or who have pleaded guilty to animal cruelty on its website. The Senate Criminal Justice Committee unanimously advanced the legislation last week.

Randa Richter, with SPCA Florida, said the bill would help pets like Justice, a two-year-old pit bull whose name serves as a constant reminder of what she deserves.

“She needs justice. She did not ask to be put in the fighting ring. She did not ask to be bait,” Richter said.

Richter said Justice arrived at the shelter a year ago with wounds on her face and body. Many have healed, but she said the pain of seeing cases like hers never goes away.

“It makes you angry and super frustrated that when people who do this are caught, there aren’t stronger laws or enforcement, and they can do it again — or just move a county away and start all over,” she said. “It’s super frustrating that they’re taking an innocent life and putting it in danger.”

Richter believes a statewide animal abuse database is needed. She said it would not only stop repeat offenders but also help area shelters with their vetting process.

Right now, the SPCA requires all potential adopters to fill out an application and answer a series of questions. Employees review each response, but ultimately, Richter said, they are left to rely on their gut feeling.

“We do the best we can to make sure we have the best adopters, but if we can just click on a link and look for their name, it’s just that extra reassurance that they’re going to a good home,” she said.

Senate Bill 494 is also known as Dexter’s Law, named in honor of a dog found decapitated and dismembered at Fort De Soto Park in Pinellas County. The bill would build upon Ponce’s Law, passed in 2018, which increased penalties for animal abuse and allows a judge to ban someone from owning pets again. If passed, the bill will go into effect on July 1.