'Dexter's Law' boosts animal abuse penalties, launches Florida database January 1

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed “Dexter's Law” in May 2025 to increase penalties for aggravated animal abuse. 

The law, named after a dog killed in a violent act post-adoption in Pinellas County, took effect in July. 

"We're a family of dogs and cats and huge animal lovers, so knowing that they could be protected with a law like that gives us peace of mind," said dog owner Melissa Coon.

Dexter's Law has now introduced a statewide animal cruelty database to enhance transparency and accountability. "I have been working with animals professionally for over 50 years," said animal advocate Christina Crawfis. 

"It's been my life's avocation to be able to help animals. It just gives me a shiver of happiness to know that we now have a database." Crawfis said, "We do have some individuals that are not always kind to animals as they should be, and the implementation of Dexter's Law is going to make this so much more complete." 

The new registry is hosted on the Florida Department of Law Enforcement website, aiming to address crucial gaps. Darcy Rd, executive director of the Gulf Coast Humane Society, said the database will be invaluable. 

"Currently, whenever somebody comes in to adopt, we do initial background checks. We look through Lee County arrest records and the Lee County Clerk of Court." "This is a much broader database that will give us a lot more information," said Rd, "especially since somebody may have relocated here or moved here and may have been convicted of aggravated animal cruelty somewhere else in the state of Florida." 

To view the registry, click here.