Latest news with #FloridaHighwayPatrol
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
DeSantis signs 2 bills stemming from Tampa Bay animal abuse cases
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – As Hurricane Milton was inching closer to Tampa Bay, many evacuated along with their pets. However, one bull terrier was found tied to a fence along Interstate 75 in Tampa. That dog, named Trooper, was rescued by the Florida Highway Patrol. Now, there's a new law named in his honor that was signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday. 'This story is exactly the type of cruelty that we cannot tolerate in the free state of Florida,' DeSantis said. Trooper's previous owner, who has since been charged with aggravated animal cruelty told authorities that he was evacuating to Georgia, and nobody would pick up the dog. 'That's bad enough, but the water was rising very quickly,' DeSantis said. What's known as 'Trooper's Law' makes it a third-degree felony for abandoning or neglecting an animal during an emergency or natural disaster. If convicted, that's up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Trooper Orlando Morales rescued the dog and still keeps in touch with his new owners. 'He is doing absolutely amazing. I get pictures and videos,' Morales said. DeSantis also signed a bill dubbed 'Dexter's Law' after a bull terrier was found decapitated last year in Fort De Soto Park in Pinellas County just days after being adopted. Domingo Rodriguez was convicted earlier this year and sentenced to a year and 60 days in jail. 'Current sentencing guidelines don't match the gravity of these crimes and it was evident that Florida law needed to do more to protect dogs from senseless violence,' DeSantis said. The new law offers tougher sentencing multipliers. That will give judges the ability to force someone to stay behind bars longer. Animal Advocate Debbie Darino fought for the bill that will include a public database of those convicted or guilty of animal abuse. 'Dexter's Law seeks to deter animal cruelty and holds offenders more accountable for their actions,' Darino said. On its website, the American Kennel Club has these two bills listed under 'monitor' meaning it does not support or oppose the measures. Dexter's Law will go into effect on July 1st. Trooper's law will go into effect on October 1st. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Florida dog found chained during hurricane leads to new law during natural disasters
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed several bills into law aimed at cracking down on animal cruelty, including one inspired by a dog left abandoned during Hurricane Milton in 2024. The measures, named "Trooper's Law" and "Dexter's Law," were signed during a ceremony on Wednesday at a dog rescue facility in South Florida. Trooper's Law makes it a third-degree felony to restrain and abandon a dog outside during a natural disaster or the preparedness stage of an emergency. The law is named after a dog who was found chained to a fence along Interstate 75 outside of Tampa during the evacuations ahead of Hurricane Milton. The bull terrier was rescued by a Florida Highway Patrol member and later given the appropriate name of "Trooper." The new law makes similar actions punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Florida Troopers Rescue Dog Tied To Pole Amid Hurricane Milton Floodwaters The other major bill, known as "Dexter's Law," increases criminal penalties for aggravated animal cruelty. Dexter's Law is named after a dog in St. Petersburg, who was killed just days after being adopted. The measure also permits the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to compile a database of people convicted of animal-cruelty offenses. Once operational, the database will be public, allowing users to search for convicted animal cruelty violators. Dexter's Law will go into effect on July 1 and Trooper's Law is expected to go into effect later this year in October. "Across Florida, we have seen horrifying instances of animal cruelty that demand a stronger response," said DeSantis. "I was proud to sign Trooper's Law and Dexter's Law today. Florida stands by man's best friend." Construction Crane Crashes Into St. Petersburg Building During Hurricane Milton Despite the flurry of signings Wednesday, several hurricane-related measures remain in limbo with the tropical weather season beginning in just a matter of days. After the destruction caused by a falling crane in a building in downtown St. Petersburg during Hurricane Milton's 100-mph winds, legislators passed a measure requiring construction job sites to secure cranes and other equipment before the arrival of damaging winds. The governor has yet to sign the bill and has given no indication that he intends to do so. Additionally, the legislature has not yet passed the state's annual budget, meaning that tax relief that some shoppers depend on for hurricane supplies is on hold. Florida's Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday allows supplies such as flashlights, batteries, tarps and other needed materials to be sold tax-free during a limited timeframe. Hurricane season in the Atlantic basin begins on June 1 and runs through Nov. 30, but Florida is most impacted during September and article source: Florida dog found chained during hurricane leads to new law during natural disasters
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Governor Ron DeSantis signs two bills to help ‘stand by man's best friend'
FLORIDA (WMBB) – Governor Ron DeSantis signed Florida Senate Bill 150, Trooper's Law and Florida House Bill 255, Dexter's Law, on Wednesday. 'Across Florida, we have seen horrifying instances of animal cruelty that demand a stronger response,' DeSantis said. 'I was proud to sign Trooper's Law and Dexter's Law today. Florida stands by man's best friend.' According to a news release, Trooper's Law makes it a third-degree felony to restrain and abandon a dog outdoors during a declared natural disaster or at any time in which a mandatory or voluntary evacuation order is in effect. Trooper's Law is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Codifies penalties for failing to provide confined animals with sufficient food, water, and exercise and for abandoning an animal, as a misdemeanor for the first degree, with similar fines. Trooper's Law was inspired by a dog who was rescued by the Florida Highway Patrol after being left chained up in the path of Hurricane Milton last year. Dexter's Law will strengthen penalties for aggravated animal cruelty, including a 1.25 sentencing multiplier and ensure that offenders face appropriate criminal penalties Additionally, the bill will create Florida's first animal abuser database to prevent abuse and protect communities. Dexter's Law was named after a shelter dog that was brutally killed days after being adopted in Pinellas County. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Miami Herald
6 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Scooter driver critical, passenger dead, after crashing on Florida Turnpike: FHP
A passenger on a scooter driving on Florida's Turnpike in Broward County Saturday died after becoming lodged underneath a van the small vehicle collided with Saturday afternoon, and the driver remains in critical condition, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The crash happened shortly before 3 p.m. in the southbound lanes at mile marker 55, according to the FHP. The driver of the Yongfu scooter, whom troopers say is a 21-year-old man from Miami, was in the center lane and changed lanes into the path of a 2017 Ford Transit van driven by a 27-year-old man from Davie, FHP Lt. Indiana Miranda said. The front of the van hit the rear of the scooter, and both the scooter driver and passenger — as well as the scooter — were trapped beneath the moving vehicle, Miranda said. The van driver, who has not been named, pulled to the inside lane, where the passenger became dislodged, according to the FHP. The van driver pulled over to the shoulder with the scooter and driver still stuck underneath, Miranda said. Paramedics took the scooter driver, who has not been named, to Memorial Regional Hospital, where he remained in critical condition Wednesday, Miranda said. His passenger, who has also not been identified, died on the scene, according to the FHP. The van driver was not injured, Miranda said. Troopers are still investigating the crash. Driving a scooter with an engine smaller than 50 cubic centimeters is illegal. The size of the Yongfu involved in the crash was not immediately known.
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Gov. DeSantis signs animal rights bill ‘Trooper's Law'
Gov. Ron DeSantis signs the 'Trooper's Law bill that makes it illegal to leave your pet behind and tied up during a natural disaster evacuation. The bill is named after the Bull Terrier who was tied to a fence on I-75 near Tampa during Hurricane Milton. A Florida Highway Patrol rescued the dog, who later got the name Trooper. The penalty for violating the law is up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
