Overview

• Gov. Ron DeSantis signed Trooper’s Law and Dexter’s Law on May 28 at Big Dog Ranch Rescue outside Royal Palm Beach
• Trooper’s Law, inspired by a terrier rescued during Hurricane Milton, takes effect Oct. 1, 2025, and carries up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine for abandoning pets in disasters
• Dexter’s Law, prompted by the decapitation of a dog in a St. Petersburg park, becomes active July 1, 2025, and raises penalties for severe animal cruelty
• During the signing, DeSantis cradled a puppy to underscore his administration’s commitment to animal welfare
• Both laws come into force just as the 2025 hurricane season begins, aiming to protect pets from abandonment in emergencies