A New Law Will Make It Illegal To Abandon Dogs In The Middle Of A Natural Disaster

Thousands of people abandon their dogs fully to their destiny when fleeing to a safe location after natural catastrophes, which is one of the most heartbreaking things to see. Tornadoes, hurricanes, and storms may put these helpless animals in a lot of distress, especially if they don’t have the tools to flee and fight for their life.

“We want to give these pets a chance,” said the owner.

Many groups give it their all and always return a few days later to save as many animals as possible. Now, a new rule in Florida aims to safeguard hundreds of innocent puppies from being abandoned in these desperate circumstances: abandoning a dog in the middle of an emergency crisis, whether natural or man-made, will be unlawful.

“Like people, we want these canines to be able to fight for their life.”

The law also establishes that vets will be able to provide information about the persons who were responsible for leaving their dogs in such a dangerous scenario. This complaint can be filed directly with the state’s appropriate authorities.

Veterinarians will have the ability to file complaints without notifying pet owners.

Joe Gruters proposed House Bill 1738. It stipulates that anybody who abandons a dog in the midst of a cyclone or tornado must pay a fee and might face accusations of animal cruelty. In Florida, a breach of the statute can result in a sentence of up to one year in prison.

A fine of up to $5,000 may be imposed.

There hasn’t been a single vote against this measure thus far. It received unanimous approval from the Senate’s Agricultural Committee and is currently being considered by the State Senate.

In the middle of these situations, cats, horses, and a variety of other animals are frequently left behind. Unfortunately, Bill 1738 only protects dogs, but we believe that this will set a strong precedent for continuing to protect all animals during natural catastrophes.

Prior to this regulation, there were existing municipal rules that made it illegal to abandon animals in dangerous situations.

We are hopeful that this proposal will be authorized, saving the lives of thousands of creatures that do not deserve to be ignored at this vital time.