Florida currently has some of the most lenient laws in the nation when it comes to animal abuse. The maximum sentence for a conviction of animal abuse is a fine of $2,500.00 and psychological testing for the first offense and a maximum jail term of 6 months and a fine of $5,000.00 for the second offense. Animal abuse is considered a misdemeanor as defined by the Florida statues which state, "A person who unnecessarily overloads, overdrives, torments, deprives of necessary sustenance or shelter, or unnecessarily mutilates, or kills any animal, or causes the same to be done, or carries in or upon any vehicle, or otherwise, any animal in a cruel or inhumane manner, is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by a fine of not more than $ 5,000, or both." This is an outrage!
Florida needs to strengthen its animal abuse laws and make people pay for their cruelty. It is unconscionable that so many animals are being tortured to death in Florida by evil humans with little repercussion. Tell Florida to make animal cruelty a felony and impose harsher penalties for these depraved acts!
Dear Governor Scott:
Our current laws and penalties regarding animal abuse are a joke. As you are aware, there have been multiple cases in which animals have been tortured and/or killed, with absolutely no justification, in Florida in the very recent past. For example, a little puppy named Hope was set on fire by her owner for his own amusement. More recently, a pit bull female was drown in Pasco County when a rope tied to a block was thrown into a river. Image for a moment her fear, confusion and pain as water filled her lungs, depriving her of oxygen! There is no excuse for this type of treatment and our lenient laws do not discourage this abuse.
Please take a stranger stance against animal abuse by making it a felony, by giving harsher penalties and by ENFORCING animal cruely laws. Florida's furry friends are counting on you to do what is right for them!
