Criminals who persuade children to harm or sexually abuse animals could face up to five years in prison under a new bill filed with the support of Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Sponsored by Democrat Sen. Kristen Arrington and Republican Rep. Linda Chaney, the identical SB 676 and HB 559 would create a third-degree felony charge for Floridians who either abuse animals in front of children or encourage children to do the same.
That could include bestiality, forcing animals to fight, or harming them. Third-degree felonies are punishable by up to five years in prison, up to $5,000 in fines, or a combination of both.
The legislation would create a new pattern of penalties for adults who use “any act that causes, tends to cause, encourages, or contributes” to a child committing an offense. So, an adult who assists a minor convicted of a third-degree felony would be charged with a first-degree misdemeanor, a second-degree felony with a third-degree felony, and so on.
DeSantis first hinted at these proposed additions to Florida’s animal cruelty statute last week at a press conference at Big Dog Ranch, a Loxahatchee animal rescue site where he’d previously signed two other pro-animal bills into law.
“There are some bad actors who keep these animals in inhumane conditions and we want to put an end to that type of practice in the state of Florida,” DeSantis said. “The mission is, you legislators, churn this out and then we’ll set a date to come back here and … then we’ll do an even bigger celebration.”
He referred to both Chaney’s and Arrington’s measures as well as another, yet-to-be-filed bill cracking down on inhumane dog breeders.
During the 2025 session, lawmakers overwhelmingly passed the two anti-animal cruelty bills that DeSantis signed into law at Big Dog Ranch.
Trooper’s Law, named after a Bull Terrier nicknamed “Trooper” by Florida Highway Patrol, makes it a third-degree felony to restrain and abandon a dog outside during a natural disaster. Trooper was found tied to a Tampa fence ahead of Hurricane Milton as floods rushed in. Animal cruelty charges were dropped against his former owner for lack of evidence of intent.
Dexter’s Law lengthens prison sentences for Floridians who torture, mutilate, or kill pets. This came after Dexter, a bulldog mix, was found decapitated and dumped in St. Petersburg.
The 2026 legislative session begins on Jan. 13.
Florida Phoenix is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Contact Michael Moline for questions: info@floridaphoenix.com. Follow Florida Phoenix on Facebook and Twitter.
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