The voices of responsible Florida dog owners made a difference, and an amendment was filed to Florida Senate Bill 522.
AKC urges responsible dog owners to contact committee members immediately in support of the proposed changes that address the vast majority of issues with the original measure. In addition, AKC Government Relations has recommended an additional clarifying amendment that we believe will fully protect dogs from harm while also assuring the rights of responsible dog owners.
SB 522 is scheduled for a vote by the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice on Tuesday, 12/10/19, at 10:00 a.m.
WHAT YOU CAN DO: Immediately contact members of the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice to thank them for their responsiveness and urge their support of the amendment. Ask them to further amend SB 522 (as referenced below) to protect dog owners whose dogs are never harmed as a result of a natural disaster.
Scroll down for committee contact information.
Additional Details:
The proposed committee amendment to SB 522 addresses the vast majority of issues with the original bill.
In addition, AKC GR recommends adding the following underlined text to protect good dog owners whose dogs are out of the path of the storm or are not subjected to any harm:
(6) A person who leaves a dog outside and unattended by use of a restraint during a natural disaster which results in injury to the dog, or which results in impoundment by law enforcement or animal control personnel of the dog because it is in immediate danger of injury or death as result of being outside and unattended by use of a restraint during a natural disaster, commits animal cruelty, 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.
Committee Contact Information:
Senator Keith Perry, Chair, (850) 487-5008, perry.keith@flsenate.gov
Senator Jeff Brandes, Vice Chair, (850) 487-5024, brandes.jeff@flsenate.gov
Senator Randolph Bracy, (850) 487-5011, bracy.randolph@flsenate.gov
Senator Anitere Flores, (850) 487-5039, flores.anitere@flsenate.gov
Senator Jason W. B. Pizzo, (850) 487-5038Top of Form , pizzo.jason@flsenate.gov
Bill sponsor: Senator Joe Gruters, (850) 487-5023, gruters.joe@flsenate.gov
Click on each Senator’s name to view his or her webpage and for access to an online email form.
Please contact pvs@akc.org or 919-816-3645 for additional information.