This bill amends Florida Statutes related to animal cruelty offenses by revising definitions and providing clearer guidelines for the treatment of domestic animals. It introduces the term "domestic animal," which encompasses various pets such as dogs, cats, and birds, while explicitly excluding animals used for agricultural purposes or classified as captive wildlife. The bill also clarifies the definition of cruelty, emphasizing that it includes any act or neglect that causes unnecessary pain or suffering to animals, except in cases related to medical science.

Additionally, the bill modifies the criminal punishment scoring system by including a new sentencing multiplier for offenses involving animal cruelty towards domestic animals. If an offender is convicted of animal cruelty as defined in the bill, their subtotal sentence points will be multiplied by 1.25, thereby increasing the severity of the punishment. This change aims to enhance the legal consequences for those who commit acts of cruelty against domestic animals, reflecting a commitment to animal welfare in Florida. The bill is set to take effect upon becoming law.

Statutes affected:
S 502 Filed: 828.02, 921.0024