For most of us, our dogs are beloved members of our family who go everywhere with us, and we spoil them with toys and treats. Unfortunately, this is not true for all dog owners. Some are adopted for nefarious purposes, such as entering dog fights, while others are brought home in unhealthy hoarding conditions. Unfortunately, those situations are best-case options.
Dogs can face even worse abuse at the hands of their owners. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed a bill that prohibits convicted abusers from adopting or buying another dog by placing them in a statewide searchable database.
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Dexter’s Law closes a harmful loophole
As of January 1, 2026, convicted dog abusers will no longer be allowed to own dogs or cats under Dexter’s Law. Governor DeSantis signed the bill into law in May 2025. The two-part law includes increased penalties for convicted animal abusers, and it created a statewide database to track people convicted of animal abuse or pleading no contest to animal cruelty charges.
“Across Florida, we have seen horrific incidents of animal cruelty that demand a strong response. I am proud to sign Trooper’s Law and Dexter’s Law today,” Governor DeSantis said in a statement at the May signing. “Florida stands with man’s best friend.”
The penalty enhancement portion of the law took effect on July 1, 2025, and it applies a multiplier to the penalty score. Generally, Florida courts use a point system from 1 to 10 based on the severity level of the offense and whether the defendant has a prior offense. Now, aggravated animal cruelty increases the score by 1.25 points, which the state’s attorney will calculate and the judge will use to determine the appropriate sentence, whether it’s probation, community control or time in prison. Points will be added for weapons possession and previous offences.
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The law gives judges the discretion to impose more severe sentences, including longer jail or prison terms, in the most egregious animal cruelty cases. A stiff sentence makes it clear that Florida takes crime seriously, and the consequences will reflect that.
On January 1, 2026, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement launched the second part of Dexter’s Law: a searchable database of all convicted felons, which helps pet sellers, adoption facilities, rescue groups and the public verify that animals are going home with those who have not been convicted of animal abuse in the past. The name remains on the registry for 10 years, and repeat offenders will be added for an additional 10 years.
While many counties in the state have their own registries, the statewide database will close reporting gaps and inconsistencies in those areas and cover counties without their own systems.
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Who is the dog behind the law?
The law is named after a rescue dog that met a horrible end at the hands of its owner. Dexter, a black and white bulldog mix, was adopted in May 2024 by Domingo R. Rodriguez of Pinellas County Animal Services.
Four days after being adopted, the 4-year-old dog was found with its throat slit in a plastic bag floating in a mangrove at Forest DeSoto Park, according to a Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office report. His microchip identified officers as his adopter, Domingo R. Delivered to Rodriguez.
In February of 2025, Rodriguez was convicted of aggravated cruelty to animals and illegal disposal of dead animals. He was sentenced to 1 year and 60 days in prison but was released after 5 months in July on $55,000 bond.
Rodriguez, who has no prior criminal history, is appealing his conviction. As a condition of his bail, he had to surrender his driver’s license and passport. He has also been ordered to have no contact with animals during the appeal process.
While he may be appealing the case, the horrific story resonated with Floridians, eventually leading to the passage of Dexter’s Law and the creation of a database in hopes that other rescue dogs would not suffer the same fate.
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This story was originally published by Parade Pets on January 30, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a favorite resource by clicking here.
