Florida's Trooper's Law Makes Animal Abandonment Felony

Florida's new "Trooper's Law" took effect Oct. 1 and makes abandoning or leaving animals restrained outdoors during natural disasters a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison and fines up to $10,000. The law was inspired by a bull terrier found tethered to a fence amid rising floodwaters during Hurricane Milton in 2024; the dog was rescued by a Florida Highway Patrol trooper. The dog's owner was arrested and the rescued dog, renamed Trooper, was later adopted. The legislation aims to deter similar animal cruelty during Florida's frequent hurricanes and other disasters and has support from animal control officers and veterinarians. Some officials prefer education over criminal penalties, but supporters say the law provides a necessary legal deterrent.