dexter’ s Law – the new Changes to § 828.12 fLa stat, CrueLty to aniMaLs
Criminal law Section Co-Chairs: AmyCasanova-Ward – FloridaDept. ofFinancialServices & LilyM. McCarty – Hines & McCarty, PLLC
Dexter’ s Story: Dexter was a 4-year-old dog that was up for adoption at Pinellas County Animal Services. He was adopted by Domingo Rodriguez on May 10, 2024. A few days after Dexter’ s adoption, the dog’ s mutilated headless body was found in a trash bag at Fort DeSoto Park. Dexter’ s owner was charged with his death. On February 21, 2025, Rodriguez was found guilty at trial, in the Pinellas County Circuit Court, Criminal Division, to the lesser of Cruelty to Animals-1M( punishable by a maximum sentence of 364 days jail), and Unlawful Disposal of Bodies of Dead Animals-2M( punishable by a maximum sentence of 60 days jail), under case # 24-04646-CF. He was sentenced to a total of one year and two months Pinellas County Jail, the maximum consecutive sentence allowed at the time of sentencing. Rodriguez’ s case is currently on appeal. He was released from jail on July 11, 2025, with a $ 55,000.00 bond pending the appeal’ s outcome.
Public Outcry Creates Change: The facts of this case caused an outraged response by the public and by state officials over the extreme cruelty and death, and the very light maximum sentence. Given the outcry, the Criminal Justice Committee and State Representative Linda Chaney( R-ST. Pete Beach), sponsored
House Bill( HB) 255: Aggravated Animal Cruelty, to prevent bad actors from being able to adopt animals and to create stiffer penalties for people who abuse animals.
On May 28, 2025, HB 255 was approved by Governor Ron DeSantis and became law effective January 1, 2026. HB 255 known as“ Dexter’ s Law,” amended § 828.12 Fla Stat, entitled Cruelty to Animals. Under § 828.12 Fla Stat, subsection( 7) was added: beginning January 1, 2026, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement( FDLE) shall post on its website, in a searchable format prescribed by the department, the names of those individuals who have been convicted of, or who have entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to crimes under the Cruelty to Animals statute, regardless of adjudication.
HB 255 also amended § 921.0024( 1)( b) Fla Stat of the Criminal Punishment Code. HB 255 includes a sentencing multiplier on the criminal punishment scoresheet if the primary offense on the scoresheet is Aggravated Animal cruelty under s. 828.12( 2). This sentence multiplier includes
dexter’ s Law creates an fdLe statewide offender database that will help shelters and animal rescue groups identify those individuals with a history of animal abuse prior to allowing adoptions.
the“ knowing and intentional torture or torment of an animal that injured, mutilated, or killed the animal.” If this criteria is met, then the subtotal sentence points on the criminal punishment scoresheet are multiplied by 1.25.( Note: There is also an exclusion provision in this section, since the term“ animal” does not include an animal used for agricultural purposes or permitted as captive wildlife as authorized under s. 379.303).
In conclusion,
Dexter’ s Law creates an FDLE statewide offender database that will help shelters and animal rescue groups identify those individuals with a history of animal abuse prior to allowing adoptions. It also creates harsher penalties for offenders who commit Aggravated Animal Cruelty. This is a win / win since these changes create more safeguards and protections, creating a brighter tomorrow for animals in Florida. n
Author: Amy Casanova-Ward – FL Dept. of Financial Services
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