Dexter's and Trooper's Laws

Dexter's Law and Trooper's Law
Florida Legislature
Citation	SB 150 (Trooper's Law) [1] HB 255 (Dexter's Law) [1]
Territorial extent	Florida
Assented to	May 28, 2025
Effective	July 1, 2025 (Dexter's Law) October 1, 2025 (Trooper's Law)
Summary
Increases and expands punishments for animal cruelty
Keywords
Animal cruelty
Status: Not yet in force

Trooper's Law (SB 150) and Dexter's Law (HB 255) are a pair of animal rights laws signed into Florida law by Governor Ron DeSantis on May 28, 2025.

Background

Dexter

Dexter was a dog found on May 14, 2024, decapitated in a plastic bag in Fort De Soto Park. ^{[2] [3] [4]} The dog was adopted from the Pinellas County Animal Shelter a few days prior. His owner, Domingo Rodriguez, was found guilty of animal cruelty on February 14, 2025. ^[2]

Trooper

Trooper is a Bull Terrier that was found on the side of Interstate 75 restrained to a fence before Hurricane Milton impacted Florida. ^[5] Giovanni Aldama Garicia, Trooper's owner, was arrested in October 2024, accused of animal cruelty. ^[6] Trooper was found by a member of the Florida Highway Patrol, from which he derived his name. ^[7] Trooper was adopted in December 2024. ^[8]

Legislative history

In the Florida Senate, Trooper's Law was sponsored by Don Gaetz and filed January 7. ^{[8] [9]} It was unanimously passed by the Senate in March 2024. ^[10]

The two laws were signed by Governor Ron DeSantis on May 28, 2025. ^[11]

Dexter's Law will take effect July 1, 2025. ^[12] Trooper's Law will take effect October 1, 2025. ^[8]

Provisions

Trooper's Law makes restraining pets prior to natural disasters a third-degree felony. ^[7]

Dexter's Law creates a registry of animal abusers ^[12] and requires law enforcement to post online the names of those who have offended animal cruelty laws. ^[3] It also increases the punishment for severe cruelty to animals. ^[3] A 1.25 multiplier is to be added to the punishment of those charged with aggravated animal cruelty. ^[12]

References

1. Land, Alex (May 29, 2025). "New bills hit Gov. DeSantis' desk; here's what he signed". WESH. Tallahassee, Florida . Retrieved May 30, 2025.
2. Farrow, Clair; Chu, Andrea (February 19, 2025). "'Dexter the dog' trial: 66-year-old man found guilty of animal cruelty". WTSP . St. Petersburg, Florida . Retrieved May 30, 2025.
3. Trujillo, Briana (May 28, 2025). "Gov. DeSantis to sign two animal rights bills, including Trooper's Law for dog rescued during Milton". NBC 6 South Florida. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
4. Zurick, Maura (May 19, 2024). "Dog owner charged after decapitated bulldog mix found in Florida park". Newsweek. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
5. "Trooper, the dog abandoned on I-75, adjusts to new home; how his story will help others". WTXL ABC 27 Tallahassee News. December 9, 2024. Retrieved May 30, 2025.
6. Crespo, Veronica (March 4, 2025). "'Trooper's Law' clears another hurdle in Florida Senate". WPLG. Tallahassee, Florida . Retrieved May 30, 2025.
7. Wulfeck, Andrew (May 28, 2025). "Florida dog found chained during hurricane leads to new law during natural disasters". FOX Weather. Tallahassee, Florida . Retrieved May 30, 2025.
8. Crespo, Veronica (March 19, 2025). "'Trooper's Law' moves along in Florida Senate". WPLG. Tallahassee, Florida . Retrieved May 30, 2025.
9. "CS/SB 150: Abandoning Restrained Dogs During Natural Disasters". Florida Senate. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
10. Crespo, Veronica (April 29, 2025). "'Trooper's Law' heads to governor's desk". WPLG. Tallahassee, Florida . Retrieved May 30, 2025.
11. Burkett, Ryan (May 28, 2025). "Gov. DeSantis signs Dexter's Law, Trooper's Law targeting animal abuse". FOX 13 News. Loxahatchee, Florida . Retrieved May 30, 2025.
12. "MEDIA RELEASE: Florida Passes Dexter's Law & Trooper's Law". IDA USA. Pinellas County, Florida . Retrieved May 30, 2025.