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rockhillmanor's avatar
rockhillmanor
Explorer II
Oct 14, 2018

Stricter animal cruelty law passed

Florida just passed a bill allowing judges to charge animal cruelty cases with a "third-degree felony" punishable by up to "five years in prison" and a "$10,000 fine" and "prohibit" the offender from ever owning another dog.

The bill, HB 473, was called Ponce's Law which stems from a horrific case of animal cruelty . https://www.news-journalonline.com/.../ponces-law-bill

Each state has their own laws regarding animal cruelty and most states are very lenient for the offender. Many cases of cruelty across the United States the abuser is only being charged with a misdemeanor.

I post this because this sets a good precedent and 'now' would be the perfect time for you to easily

copy this bill and send it to your Senator and State Rep and Governor demanding that your state increase the punishment regarding animal cruelty

if they have not already done so. And/or add on to it.

We need to have ALL the states increase the punishment and give judges the option to include jail time, felony charges, and if convicted prohibit them from ever owning another animal.

Now is the time for everyone to make a difference on behalf of all animals. :C

19 Replies

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  • BCSnob's avatar
    BCSnob
    Explorer
    Oct 15, 2018
    Did you not read the article at the link YOU provided? The new law will not apply to the one charged in the case that prompted the new law.


    “The law will only apply to people charged Oct. 1 or later. Prosecutors had attempted to apply it earlier this year in a case only to have to walk that back.

    And it won't apply to Archer if he is convicted. Archer is accused of animal cruelty, a third-degree felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.”
  • rockhillmanor's avatar
    rockhillmanor
    Explorer II
    Oct 15, 2018
    Crowe wrote:
    How can anyone enforce a person not owning another animal? Is there some sort of national database these offenders go in to that town clerks tap into when you register your dog? Sounds completely unenforceable to me.

    Felony charges involve probation. PO officers are mandated to routinely do unannounced home checks on people on probation.

    If the person is found to have a dog, that is a 'violation of probation' and off they go back to jail. There is no if and's or butts when it comes to violating probation.
  • rockhillmanor's avatar
    rockhillmanor
    Explorer II
    Oct 15, 2018
    valhalla360 wrote:
    This sounds like

    political grand-standing

    more than anything else.

    Yeah, it's on the books but I seriously doubt you are going to see

    people getting locked up as a result.



    I guess we will see first hand when this guy's sentencing hearing happens.

    No not political grandstanding. Read the article.This was a local private group of concerned people who worked 'very' hard to get this bill introduced and passed, getting 70,000 signatures etc.

    I just bought a home in Florida. Originally from IL/WI where there 'are' laws in place to ensure the humane treatment of all animals.

    I have never seen such blatant and 'accepted' horrific situations regarding the care, housing, and abuse of all animals in Florida near me. :( You get into the even more rural areas and its rampant. :(

    Florida is still living in the dark ages when it comes to proper care, safe housing and animal cruelty. So I thought this bill was a real good start for Florida.
  • Crowe's avatar
    Crowe
    Explorer
    Oct 15, 2018
    How can anyone enforce a person not owning another animal? Is there some sort of national database these offenders go in to that town clerks tap into when you register your dog? Sounds completely unenforceable to me.
  • valhalla360's avatar
    valhalla360
    Navigator
    Oct 15, 2018
    This sounds like political grand-standing more than anything else.

    Yeah, it's on the books but I seriously doubt you are going to see people getting locked up as a result.
  • Twomed's avatar
    Twomed
    Explorer
    Oct 15, 2018
    FL Domestic Violence Statute
    If a person is found guilty of, has adjudication withheld on, or pleads nolo contendere to a crime of domestic violence, as defined in s. 741.28 , that person shall be ordered by the court to a minimum term of 1 year's probation and the court shall order that the defendant attend a batterers' intervention program as a condition of probation.

    Way to go legislators dogs higher priority than families???

    Not political just pointing out the statute...something to wonder about.
  • colliehauler's avatar
    colliehauler
    Explorer III
    Oct 14, 2018
    Kansas animal cruelty has been a felony for a few years now. Catching the offenders is the problem.

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