Florida Democrat files bill criminalizing dogs sticking their heads out of the car window

A new proposal in Florida would turn good boys into bad boys by criminalizing just about every dog's favorite way to travel.

The bill — SB932 — was written and sponsored by Broward Democratic Sen. Lauren Book, and was introduced in the Florida State Senate on Feb. 17.

According to the bill's text, drivers would be banned from allowing "a dog to extend its head or any other body part outside a motor vehicle window while the person is operating the motor vehicle on a public roadway."

Instead, the proposed legislation suggests drivers transport dogs via crate, or have their pets restrained with a harness or pet seat belt. If neither of those options are available, the dog could be held by a passenger in the car who is not the driver.

Notably, the bill specifically bans drivers from holding dogs on their lap, or having dogs sit in front of them while riding a motorbike.

Besides banning dogs from sticking their heads out of car windows, the bill addresses multiple measures related to animal welfare, like banning the sale of rabbits before Easter, prohibitions on the use of cosmetic animal testing, and the declawing of cats.

The bill would also require the Department of Law Enforcement to post an online registry of anyone convicted of animal abuse offenses. Violators would also face a second-degree misdemeanor.

This story first appeared at our sister paper Creative Loafing Tampa Bay.


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