Florida launches animal-cruelty registry to bar offenders from future pet adoption

Florida is strengthening animal welfare protections with the passage of Dexter’s Law, a new statute designed to prevent repeat animal abuse and improve accountability across the state. Named after a shelter dog whose inhumane death in 2023 sparked public outrage, the law responds to growing concerns that individuals convicted of animal cruelty were still able to adopt or obtain pets with little oversight.

The law, which went into effect this month, tasked the Florida Department of Law Enforcement with creating a statewide, publicly searchable animal abuse registry, which lists individuals who have been convicted of, pled guilty or no contest to animal cruelty offenses.

Animal shelters, rescue groups and members of the public can use the registry to screen potential adopters, to prevent animals from being placed into dangerous situations. Names on the registry will remain publicly accessible for 10 years, and re-offenders may be listed again for an additional 10-year period.

“Across Florida, we have seen horrifying instances of animal cruelty that demand a stronger response. Florida stands by man’s best friend,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said in a statement after he signed the law last May.

In addition to the statewide database, the law also strengthens criminal penalties for aggravated animal cruelty, such as intentionally torturing or killing an animal.

The courts use a point system based on offense severity levels from 1-10 and prior offenses. The new law increases the sentencing score for aggravated animal cruelty by 1.25 points. The state attorney calculates the score, which help judges determine appropriate punishments like probation, community control or prison, with added points weapon possession or prior felonies.

Dexter’s Law allows judges to impose tougher punishments, including longer jail or prison sentences for the most serious cases of animal cruelty, sending the message that animal abuse is a violent crime with real consequences.

Florida is among a small number of state and local governments with an animal abuse registries. Tennessee launched a statewide public animal abuser registry for felony convictions in 2016. New York City, along with Suffolk County, New York, and Cook County, Illinois, have local versions of the database. Other states, like California and Maryland, have introduced legislation for their own registries in recent years.

Animal welfare groups say Dexter’s Law is about breaking cycles of violence. There is research showing links between animal abuse and other forms of violent behavior, making early intervention critical. , like ,

“Acts of cruelty against animals are a red flag for deeper psychological disturbances and often correlate with violence against humans,” Dr. Marilyn Kroplick, a psychiatrist and president of In Defense of Animals, said in a blog post on the group’s website. “Dexter’s Law is not just about protecting dogs — it’s a public safety measure. Identifying abusers and intervening early can help prevent escalating cycles of violence and trauma.”