The Animal Legal Defense Fund released its annual state rankings earlier this month. Florida is in the top tier at number 19, at the bottom of the top tier. Not bad -- but it could be better.
And it wouldn't take much to do either.
 | |
| The state with the best animal protection laws is Illinois, the worst is Kentucky. Click on the map to see how your state ranked. |
- General prohibitions
- Penalties
- Exemptions
- Mental health evaluations & counseling
- Protective orders
- Cost mitigation & recovery
- Seizure/impoundment
- Forfeiture and post‐conviction possession
- Non‐animal agency reporting of suspected animal cruelty
- Veterinarian reporting of suspected animal cruelty
- Law enforcement policies
- Sexual assault
- Fighting
- Offender registration
- “Ag gag” legislation
Lora Dunn, one of the analysts at Animal Legal Defense Fund, says Florida has a lot of things going for it.
"Florida does have a felony provision for cruelty, for neglect
and for animal fighting," Dunn said. "And Florida also has mandatory mental health
evaluations for convicted abusers."
Florida also has provisions that allow a vet to report an animal who is abused or neglected, and Florida does not have what is called an "Ag Gag" rule, which bans whistleblowers from reporting animal abuses at farms.
Sexual assault of animals is also a crime in Florida. But it's only a misdemeanor. ALDF says it would be better as a felony.
Where Florida Can Improve
Dunn offers some easy changes Florida can make.
"We could make it mandatory in Florida that victims cannot return to their abusers after their convictions," Dunn said. "Currently, even when someone is convicted of abusing their dog, they can regain possession of their pet after completing their sentence. We would like a mandatory provision."
"We could make it mandatory in Florida that victims cannot return to their abusers after their convictions," Dunn said. "Currently, even when someone is convicted of abusing their dog, they can regain possession of their pet after completing their sentence. We would like a mandatory provision."
ALDF would also like to make it mandatory that vets report possible abuse or neglect.
"Florida could also improve by making future ownership of animals being banned to convicted abusers," Dunn said. "That ban could be discretionary in terms of its length."
"Florida could also improve by making future ownership of animals being banned to convicted abusers," Dunn said. "That ban could be discretionary in terms of its length."
ALDF would also like Florida to make it so that abusers have to pay back shelters who take care of their pets while they are in their care. ALDF also wants Florida to increase the penalties for orders.
Another issue that ALDF would like to see changed is regarding court orders. They want animals to be included when domestic abuse victims go to get court orders.
What You Can Do
The Florida Legislative session starts in March. Florida's lawmakers only pass new laws during the 90 day session. So far, there are no animal rights laws.
My Florida House.com is the place to find out who your Florida House lawmaker is. Florida Senate.com is where you can find your Florida Senator.
ASPCA has a whole section on how to lobby your lawmakers. Check out their advocacy center to find out what you can do.
And if you don't live in Florida, you can find out your own state's ranking and how to make it better. Just go to ALDF and read the report.
