Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL) signs a new law to crack down on the abuse of dogs.
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00:00Great bills to sign today, and thank you all for coming. Please, please take a seat. Please take a seat.
00:06We are proud to be here at Big Dog Ranch. Very impressive facility.
00:12I mean, those of you who've been here know that. I've known about it, but this is the first time I've been here, and wow.
00:18We're joined by our Executive Director for Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, Dave Kerner.
00:24Of course, Lori Simmons, Founder and CEO of Big Dog Ranch Rescue, President and Founder of the Ponce Animal Foundation, Debbie Dorino, Trooper Orlando Morales from the Florida Highway Patrol, and then we have Representatives Weinberger, Gerwig, Gossett Seidman, and the warrior, Mike Caruso.
00:46They're all here today. Thank you.
00:47I think most people have a very soft spot in their heart for our four-legged friends, and this is something that my wife, I mean, really, she's led it, but since the time we were married, she's been involved in fostering and helping rescue dogs.
01:11I remember we were, you know, I'd wake up from a nap, and I have some dog licking me, and I'm like, what, oh, I rescued another, and so, and she, because she had a TV show at the time, so she'd profile them, and like immediately people would come, and they would do it, and then she's even done that since we've been in Tallahassee, living in the governor's residence, where people see, and then they come and are able to adopt and save a lot of great dogs.
01:40You know, there's some of these places, they have these kill shelters, and that's where they really go to try to rescue those and save those dogs, and I know there's been so many people throughout Florida that have been involved in insisting those efforts.
01:55This place here is obviously really, really special, but we've been doing that, and it's something that's been important, particularly the First Lady, but I would also say, from an operational perspective,
02:08when I was deployed to Iraq way back when, during that conflict, you would not see a special forces mission without a military working dog, you would not see EOD without those dogs, and I'll tell you what, when they would train,
02:26when they would tell that dog who to get, they would latch on to that, to the hostel, and they would not let go.
02:33I mean, it was pretty impressive to see how well trained they are, and of course, they're in harm's way too, not just when you're deployed militarily in a place like Afghanistan or Iraq,
02:42but even here with our police forces, our PDs, our sheriff's departments, and our state law enforcement, these dogs, the police dogs, the canines, the military working dogs,
02:56you know, they have served our state, and they've served our communities, and they've served our country in really, really impressive ways,
03:03and I'm proud to say we have recognized that fact in the state of Florida over the years that I've been governor.
03:10A few years back, we signed a bill to authorize emergency service vehicles to transport injured police canines to a veterinary clinic
03:20to ensure they quickly get the care they need to recover if there is no individual requiring medical attention,
03:26and that was not something that they were permitted to do before that, so you now have EMTs that can provide emergency medical care
03:34to an injured police canine at the scene of an emergency and while the canine is being transported.
03:41We also signed a bill, Senate Bill 96, to increase the penalty from a third-degree felony to a second-degree felony
03:49for intentionally and knowingly causing great bodily harm, permanent disability, or death to police canines,
03:56as well as horses and other types of animals.
04:01We've also signed House Bill 1047 to increase criminal penalties for harming, harassing, or willfully resisting an animal
04:09working with police officers, firefighters, or search and rescue teams.
04:14We believe that these canines are an instrumental part of Florida being a law-and-order state,
04:21and I'm proud to say that as a matter of policy and as a matter of money,
04:27because we have provided help for veterinary bills, because I think one of the things that happens is
04:32these canines do a lot of good work, it's time for them to retire,
04:37and a lot of times the handler will want to adopt the canine, but the vet bills are tough.
04:42And so we had a program to be able to help with that.
04:46That's facilitated more adoption.
04:48So we're proud to not just say things, but actually do things that further this really important mission.
04:56Now, one of the bills today involves caring for animals and caring for pets during these natural disasters.
05:05So when we have the storms brewing, and look, we're getting ready to start hurricane season,
05:11we're going to do some announcements on that in the coming days.
05:16Everyone needs to be prepared.
05:18Now, I am hoping that we get a break this year.
05:22I mean, after we had six majors in seven years, we had two majors last year, and then one additional.
05:29You know, this is something that they kind of tend to go in bunches, and then sometimes you get a respite.
05:34Who knows, right?
05:35I mean, I can't predict.
05:37When they predict, there's not going to be that and that, and so it doesn't really.
05:41So who knows what will happen?
05:43Hopefully we don't have to deal with it.
05:44But I can tell you, when we see a storm on the horizon, when we start ramping up the public messaging,
05:50one of the things we've been stressing is if you evacuate, make sure you're taking care of your pets.
05:58You cannot leave a dog behind if you're in an evacuation zone.
06:05All of our shelters, all of our counties have at least one shelter that is pet-friendly.
06:11And we have told people we do deals with the Restaurant and Lodging Association
06:15so that virtually any hotel will allow, during a state of emergency, dogs to go and your pets to go with you
06:23if you need shelter in a hotel room.
06:26So there's really no reason that you would need to be in a situation where you're leaving a dog behind.
06:32Now, we had a scene that was really sad to see as Hurricane Milton approached Florida last year in October of 2024.
06:43The trooper that's here with us today, Orlando Morales, he came across an abandoned dog tied to a fence
06:51on the side of Interstate 75, left to face the storm alone.
06:56Now, that's bad enough, but the water was rising very quickly.
07:01And so it was getting close to his neck.
07:04And had he just been left there, he may have ended up drowning
07:07or even have other things happen given the storm.
07:10So, Trooper Morales pulled over, freed the pup, and brought him into his patrol car as the hurricane was approaching.
07:19This got a lot of attention in terms of social media and even legacy media.
07:24And so the dog has now been named Trooper.
07:28The dog's now in a safe and thriving home in Broward County.
07:32And the owners, Frank and Carla, wanted to be here today, but they're under the weather, so they weren't able to be.
07:40But we want to thank them and acknowledge them for giving Trooper a good home.
07:46It was a close call, but I'm glad that things worked out for the dog and for both Frank and Carla.
07:54Now, this story is exactly the type of cruelty that we cannot tolerate in the free state of Florida.
08:01We're a law and order state, and that includes the need to prosecute those who are derelict in their duty to take care of their own pets.
08:10So today, I'm going to sign Trooper's Law, legislation that makes it a third-degree felony
08:15to restrain and or abandon a dog outdoors during a declared natural disaster
08:21or any time in which a mandatory or voluntary evacuation order is in effect.
08:26Leaving a dog chained up in the path of an ongoing storm is inhumane,
08:31and under this law, it will be a crime that carries up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
08:45The bill also codifies penalties for failing to provide confined animals sufficient food, water,
08:53and exercise, and for abandoning an animal as misdemeanors of the first degree with similar fines.
09:00This law, Trooper's Law, sends a clear message.
09:03Florida will not tolerate cruelty towards animals, especially in times of crisis.
09:09Now, what happened to Trooper is unfortunately not an isolated incident.
09:14Across Florida, we've seen horrifying instances of animal cruelty
09:18that demand a stronger response from our justice system.
09:22One of the worst examples was the case of Dexter, a shelter dog in Pinellas County,
09:27who was adopted, only to be found brutally decapitated just four days later.
09:34Current sentencing guidelines don't match the gravity of these crimes,
09:38and it was evident that Florida law needed to do more to protect dogs from senseless violence.
09:43So today, I'm also proud to sign HB 255, also known as Dexter's Law,
09:51which strengthens penalties for aggravated animal cruelty
09:54and ensures the offenders are tracked and punished accordingly.
09:59The bill will apply sentencing multiplier,
10:03and it also creates Florida's first-ever animal abuse database,
10:08making sure that shelters and the public have a right to be made reasonably aware
10:13of individuals convicted of animal cruelty in their community.
10:17The bill is narrowly tailored to only apply to acts of cruelty
10:20against domesticated companion animals.
10:24This does not in any way, shape, or form impact Floridians' right to hunt and fish,
10:29as that is traditionally done.
10:31So I want to thank the members of the legislature that supported this legislation.
10:36I think Florida will be better off once it's signed and enacted into law,
10:41and it just shows that when issues arise, Florida steps up, we lead, and we get the job done.
10:48And with that, we'll hear from some of our speakers.
10:50So we'll start with David Koerner from Palm Beach County.
10:54Thank you, Governor, and thank you for your leadership on not just this very important issue,
11:02but all the issues that face the state of Florida and our beloved Floridians.
11:06As a Palm Beach County native, it is a pleasure to be back home here in Palm Beach County for just a little bit,
11:11and particularly here at Big Dog Ranch Rescue.
11:14And on behalf of the Florida Highway Patrol,
11:17it's a very special honor to join our great governor, Governor Ron DeSantis,
11:20Lori Simmons, Debbie Dorino, and our honored members of the legislature
11:24for this very special and important bill signing.
11:28But most certainly, it is a huge honor for all of us to join all of you,
11:33the fighters and the soldiers and protectors of animals in need and love and rescuing.
11:39I thank you for what you do.
11:40I know how passionate you are,
11:42and I want you to know that it makes a very big difference in the lives of the animals that need rescuing and love.
11:48Thank you for never giving up on our four-legged friends and all of God's special creatures.
11:54And while I'm here today in my official capacity, on behalf of the Florida Highway Patrol,
11:58I cannot miss this opportunity to share with you my story about my four-legged friend.
12:04We all have that story, how we fell in love.
12:07And mine starts in 2017.
12:09Fortunately, Sheriff Bradshaw sent a contingent of deputies,
12:12led by now Chief Tony Araujo over to Puerto Rico in 2017 after Hurricane Maria.
12:19The island was devastated.
12:21We were there to help to the best of our ability.
12:25We were in the rocky or mountainous portion of Puerto Rico called La Cordella Central.
12:30I know I butchered that, but I remember being on top of this mountain,
12:34and out of the woods and out of the trees came a potcake,
12:38and I think we all know what a potcake is.
12:41Out came this dog that was just beaten, battered, bleeding, but he was smiling.
12:47And he came up to me, and he put his paw on me,
12:50and I promised myself that I would give him the best life that I could give him.
12:55Now, understand at the time, the logistics were very difficult in Puerto Rico,
12:59so getting him home was a challenge, and who did I call?
13:04I called, well, now Representative Meg Weinberger.
13:06She wasn't representative yet, but she was fighting the good fight.
13:10I said, I got this dog. I got to bring him home.
13:12She got on the phone with no other than Lori Simmons from Big Dog Ranch Rescue.
13:17And in my notes, I don't know why I recall this number,
13:20but Representative Weinberger and Lori were able to get my dog onto an airplane,
13:26and I thought that there were 120 dogs rescued in that moment.
13:29I was talking with Lori before the event.
13:32It was 7,000 dogs at Big Dog Ranch Rescue brought back from Puerto Rico to Florida.
13:39And I know I mentioned earlier that I said I would give Nick, that's his name, by the way, Nick,
13:43the best life that I could give him, but I never imagined how incredible the life he would give me.
13:49And so Representative Weinberger, Lori, Big Dog Ranch Rescue,
13:53thank you for changing the course of both of our lives.
13:56It's been a blessing every day.
13:57Enough about my story.
14:00The real reason we're here is to cheer on our governor, our incredible governor,
14:03as he signs two fantastic bills, HB 255, Dexter's Law, and Senate Bill 150, Trooper's Law.
14:14Now, Trooper's Law did not come into being by accident.
14:17It didn't come out of nowhere.
14:18It started with the deplorable actions of a human being abandoning his dog on the side of an interstate during a hurricane.
14:27It involves the rescue of that same four-legged, beautiful dog by a state trooper.
14:33It then transitioned into a criminal investigation led by the Florida Highway Patrol.
14:37And it includes the heart-touching efforts of our governor and first lady
14:42and their efforts to find a forever family for a trooper.
14:48And it ends today with the efforts of our state lawmakers to pass Trooper's bill into law,
14:54which will become official when the governor puts his signature to the bill in just a few moments.
14:59I'm honored to have State Trooper Orlando Morales, who rescued Trooper the dog.
15:05Let's give him a round of applause for your awesome efforts.
15:14Trooper Morales exhibits professionalism and heroism, which is the mark of a Florida State Trooper
15:20and all of our law enforcement officers in the state of Florida.
15:23But I cannot leave this momentous occasion without thanking each and every one of you in the crowd here today,
15:28including the governor and the first family, for being soldiers and protectors of our rescue animals
15:34and our rescue organizations.
15:37It is not an easy fight, and I know sometimes it feels like it would be easier to just give up
15:42after all the pain that we've seen with the way that people treat and abuse these animals.
15:48But you never give up.
15:49And as long as we don't give up, neither will our rescue animals who give us hope
15:55and a future for their incredible lives.
16:00Governor, thank you, not just for your official actions and leadership on this issue,
16:05but in your private life and your family life as well.
16:08I cannot tell you how surreal it has been to walk into the governor's residence
16:13or the governor's official office and have a rescue dog pouncing around
16:17as we do the business of the people of the state of Florida.
16:21How someone treats an animal speaks volumes of their character.
16:25And your character and your family's character
16:27and the character of the people who rescue animals is beyond reproach.
16:33And my final comment and thought is I've never had the chance to publicly thank you, Sheriff Bradshaw.
16:39In 2024, we had a canine.
16:43His name is Diesel.
16:44He works right here in Palm Beach County.
16:48Trooper K-9 Diesel was overcome with heat and exhaustion, and he was going to pass away.
16:54I didn't know who else to call.
16:56I actually reached out to Representative Weinberger.
16:58They told me that the dog was going to pass away if it didn't get to Gainesville.
17:01Our trooper, the canine handler, was going to drive that dog, Diesel, to Gainesville.
17:07We knew that that would not be a good ending to that story.
17:11And so you intervened and you allowed your pilots and your resources
17:15and your helicopter to get Diesel to the care at the University of Florida,
17:19and you saved his life.
17:21That's just one small example of the incredible way that you've served this community,
17:25and the Florida Highway Patrol thanks you for what you have done for law enforcement.
17:28Thank you, Governor.
17:31First, thank you, Governor DeSantis, for coming to Big Dog Ranch.
17:44This is a historic moment for all of us.
17:47Shane, can you hand me my mic?
17:49Oh, small button.
17:51There we go.
17:53Forgot the important thing.
17:54Today marks a turning point, not just for us, but for thousands of dogs across this state
18:03who have no voice of their own.
18:06We're deeply grateful to the lawmakers who had the courage to put these bills forward,
18:12and to Governor DeSantis for signing them into law with conviction.
18:18Both these bills will save lives.
18:22Not possibly, not hopefully, they will save lives.
18:27They will force people to think twice before they abandon a dog
18:32or commit acts of cruelty we see far too often.
18:39At Big Dog Ranch Rescue, cruelty isn't a headline.
18:42It's a reality we face here every single day.
18:47Dogs like our BB, who has nearly starved to death, skin and bones, abandoned, abused, and left to die.
18:55We have dogs full of buckshot and ribs broken by hands of monsters.
19:02We have dogs that have been deliberately burned,
19:05where it takes months of painful wound care for them to recover.
19:12Another recent case, just a few weeks ago, of three chihuahuas
19:17who were horrifically dragged behind a truck
19:21until they had no skin left on their arms or paws.
19:26Thank you for keeping that guy in jail, Sheriff Bradshaw.
19:30So many are severely neglected that their spirit is gone by the time they arrive to us.
19:38Others bred to the point of collapse, living in horrific conditions,
19:43in small cages, never touching the ground or seeing the light of day.
19:48All to put money in the pockets of backyard breeders and puppy millers
19:54who care more about profit than these dogs' lives.
19:59This legislation is a signal.
20:02Enough is enough.
20:05Animal abuse must end.
20:07Those who hurt animals must be held accountable.
20:11Animal abuse is not rare.
20:14It is rampant.
20:16And it must be stopped.
20:19People who abuse animals need to be held accountable.
20:24No more slaps on the wrists.
20:27No more loopholes.
20:28You abuse an animal, you face real consequences.
20:32Period.
20:41Our new campaign here at Big Dog Ranch Rescue is MADSA.
20:46Make America's dogs safe again.
20:48You all have hats underneath your chairs or in your chairs.
20:53Please wear them proudly and spread the message.
20:58We're targeting the bad actors, backyard breeders, and puppy mills
21:03that profit from cruel and inhumane breeding practices.
21:10Please spread the word.
21:12This is what will be up to the legislator for next year trying to put an end to.
21:19So Big Dog Ranch Rescue has saved nearly 80,000 lives since opening in 2008.
21:27We wouldn't need to do this if bad humans had not failed them.
21:32We currently care for over 1,800 dogs and puppies between our three campuses.
21:39At least 30% of these dogs are victims of abuse or neglect.
21:45There are far more cruel people out there than we'd like to believe.
21:51But these dogs are more than numbers.
21:54Each one has a name.
21:56Each one has a story.
21:57And each one deserves their chance to live with dignity and to be loved.
22:04We believe that signing of these bills are just the beginning.
22:10We can end the cycle of cruelty through education, sterilization, and legislation.
22:17Together, we can build a future where no dog is left behind.
22:22We are proud of this moment.
22:25But make no mistake, we're just getting started.
22:28Next year, we'll be back, fighting for more protections, pushing for tougher laws,
22:34because every dog deserves better.
22:37To everyone who helped bring this bill to life, thank you.
22:49Thank you for caring.
22:51The dogs may not be able to speak, but today, your actions spoke volumes for the dogs.
22:58Thank you again, Governor DeSantis, not only for signing these critical bills into law
23:04and being a strong voice for the dogs, but for giving one of our own, Libby,
23:11a puppy mill survivor, the loving home she deserves.
23:20All right, Cooper Morales.
23:30How you doing, everybody?
23:32Can you all hear me pretty good?
23:32All right, I don't know why I'm a little nervous now, but good morning.
23:37A little louder.
23:38Can you all hear me better now?
23:39All right, good morning, everybody.
23:42So just to give you all a little synopsis of my encounter with Trooper,
23:47on that day, on that morning, it appeared to be less traffic due to the prior days of evacuations.
23:54So thankfully, I was available.
23:56And if anybody is familiar with the Tampa area, I was at the junction of I-75 and Interstate 4.
24:00And I, sure enough, just seen an indicator of a call that just came available.
24:06And it was a call of a distressed animal tethered down to a fence or a pole.
24:10And with immediate, you know, pretty much action, I just started heading in that direction, northbound.
24:17And it took several loops.
24:19But I thank God that he gave me the right time and right place of where to be.
24:24And after, like, the second or third loop, I was able to find the dog clearly in water, in distress.
24:30And it was a horrific moment to be in.
24:33But I was just thankful that I was able to find him.
24:36And sure enough, from the viral video that went everywhere, yeah, he was almost going to bite me.
24:40But I had to give him some space.
24:43You know, he definitely earned that.
24:45He was clearly in distress.
24:46I took him in.
24:47And he got all the attention, the love, and the care that he needed.
24:51And thanks to Hillsborough County Humane Society, Leon County Humane Society, and also Big Dog Ranch,
24:58he was able to get all the care in the world and get to where he's at now with the fosters all the way to Frank Spina and Carla.
25:06So as of right now, unfortunately, as the governor mentioned, they can't be here.
25:10Frank's under the weather.
25:11But I am in communication with him.
25:13He is doing absolutely amazing.
25:14I get pictures and videos.
25:17And if no one's aware, he actually adopted another dog.
25:20So Trooper has a fur companion.
25:23So he's living his best life, and he's doing amazing.
25:26And I want to just say thank you to Executive Dave Kerner, Governor Ron DeSantis.
25:31I want to say thank you to the Leon County Humane Society, Big Dog Ranch.
25:36And I want to say thank you to the state attorneys and legislators for, and also every single one of y'all here,
25:41everyone that's going to be watching this as well.
25:43Because if it's not for any of y'all, y'all wouldn't be shedding a light on something that's traumatic
25:48and with every other experience that goes untold and unheard.
25:51So thank you all, and thank you all for allowing me to be a part of this.
25:54Good job.
25:59Okay, and then our last speaker is Debbie Dorino.
26:06Thank you, Governor DeSantis, for giving me the opportunity to share my story, and for passing this story.
26:19For those of you that don't know me, my name is Debbie Dorino.
26:25I am the person behind Dexter's Law.
26:28I am also the person behind Ponce's Law from 2018, which is your felony animal cruelty statute
26:36for the state of Florida, which also allows at the court's discretion to ban you from owning
26:44an animal if convicted.
26:48Dexter's Law is named after a dog named Dexter, who was adopted from the Pinellas County Animal
26:55Shelter and killed in a most horrific way.
26:59Dexter's Law has two key provisions related to animal cruelty in Florida.
27:06First, the FDLE will be required to maintain a public, searchable, online database listing
27:13the names of individuals convicted or who have pled guilty or no contest to animal cruelty
27:20offenses.
27:21Second, the bill modifies the criminal punishment code to impose a sentence multiplier of 1.25
27:37for aggravated animal cruelty involving the knowing and intentional torture or torment of
27:45an animal that results in injury, mutilation, or death.
27:51Importantly, as Governor DeSantis stated before, this enhanced sentence provision does not apply
27:59to animals used for agricultural purposes or captive wildlife.
28:04The law aims to increase transparency around animal cruelty offenses and provide stricter penalties
28:12for severe cases of animal abuse.
28:15By creating a public animal abuse database, and mind you, it's not a registry, it's a database,
28:22nobody's registering.
28:26And implementing more significant legal consequences, Dexter's Law seeks to deter animal cruelty and
28:35hold offenders more accountable for their actions.
28:38I'd like to thank Representative Linda Cheney and Senator Tom Leake for sponsoring Dexter's Law, they were not able to be here today, and a special thank you to my friend Meg Weinberger, Representative Weinberger, also for helping to sponsor this bill.
29:03I would like to thank you Governor DeSantis again for signing Dexter's Law, and all that you do to keep our animals safe and for it. Thank you.
29:14Thank you. Good job.
29:14Well, I appreciate everybody speaking. I think it's great. And, you know, there is a lot more work to do. You know, it's interesting. I've got a preschooler, she's going into kindergarten next year, and she's like really interested in Chihuahuas. And I was just like, do Chihuahuas like the young kids? I don't know. I mean, it seems like they'd probably be a little bit different.
29:32I tried to tell her, I said, you know, that may not be what you want right now, but we'll see. We'll see what happens on that. But why don't we make it official so everybody wants to come up, we'll do it and get it done.
29:44You said one person out here? Yeah.
29:45Do you guys take him perhaps to? Yeah.
29:49I would never know if he was the park and he'd be happy about a stupid wife, a
30:05collective, and just to get asked if they could.
30:08And she was like, hey, she was invited to Trina and Pell's right here.
30:11If you were on there and every member told him the question or something.
30:13I feel like you might not be supposed to work.
30:24I feel like you might not be supposed to work.
30:28No, I don't want to go.
30:30Okay.
30:31All right.
30:36All right.
30:43Today is what?
30:44The 20, 28.
30:47Oh, my God.
30:52Never done the one-handed bill sign in support.
30:55Okay.
30:56Okay.
30:58Ready?
31:00There you go.
31:03All right.
31:04So that's the .
31:06Okay.
31:16Oh.
31:20That's the .
31:26Okay.
31:31All right, now I'm going to get this to the outside.
31:40All right, who wants a pen?
31:45Anyone else?
31:49Legislators?
31:50There you go.
31:52Lori, where are you?
31:53Right here.
31:54Okay, and I got one more.
31:56Anybody?
31:57We got gallery, anybody?
31:59All right, here we go.
32:09Good job, guys.
32:14Good job, guys.
32:18Good job, guys.
32:20Good job, guys.
32:22Good job, guys.
32:27Great job, everybody.
32:29I know that, um, I'm not going to be able to do that.
32:33I'm not going to be able to do that.
32:35I'm not going to be able to do that.
32:37And I'm not going to be able to do that.
32:40Thank you, sir.
32:56Well, great job, everybody, I know that, um, we'll be doing some more work on this, I'm sure, in the coming months and beyond.
33:01and beyond, and I really want to, again, just thank everybody here at Big Dog Ranch Rescue
33:06for the great work that's done, not just here in Palm Beach County, but in all these other states,
33:12and you got Franklin, Tennessee coming online. When's that coming online?
33:17Okay, so, you know, so it's in the work, so that's really...
33:21Texas and Alabama are full swing.
33:25Franklin, Tennessee, outside of Nashville, is en route.
33:28Okay, we got any questions before I leave? Yes, ma'am?
33:30Do you, did you hear that question about, is there an issue with the dog trainers, do you think?
33:55Okay, well, look, I mean, I think, like, you know,
33:58Laurie says that that may need to be something that you look at.
34:02So, look, I want to protect the dog, so, you know, if there's things we can do,
34:06then I want to be a part of that conversation, absolutely.
34:09Yes, sir.
34:10Hey.
34:10Did the flippers call probably, with respect to the budget battle happening up in Tallahassee,
34:15can you elaborate for us the latest on that, any progress there?
34:17So, the legislature has really one duty, it's to do appropriations and do a budget.
34:24That's the only thing they have to do.
34:26Legislation like this is nice, but they're not constitutionally mandated to pass policy changes.
34:32They are mandated to do the budget.
34:34It should have been done at the beginning of May.
34:36I don't think they have an agreement, but, you know, we're going to have to get this done.
34:40And so, traditionally, I've kind of let them do these things,
34:44but there obviously is going to come to a point where we're going to say enough is enough,
34:48and we're going to get it done.
34:49So, it will get done one way or another.
34:52Yes, ma'am.
34:52Governor, the bills that are passed today, and frankly, are so important for animal cruelty and criminalization,
34:58but what about enforcement?
35:00What is the biggest hurdle you have to tackle with enforcement and implementation?
35:04Well, no, I mean, I think that we've now given prosecutors better tools and law enforcement better tools
35:13to be able to hold people accountable who are being cruel with animals.
35:17And, you know, the reality is that sometimes things would happen in the past,
35:21but it's such a low-level offense that they've got all these other cases going on,
35:26so sometimes that may not be their priority.
35:28Well, now, if you look at, like, Dexter's law, if you look at some of the things,
35:31these are real serious offenses.
35:33And so I think it's being treated with the gravity that it deserves.
35:38You know, harming, obviously, the offenses against other human beings
35:41are what most of the criminal law is geared toward, and rightfully so.
35:45But I do think people look at that and say, wait a minute.
35:48We have a responsibility to look after these animals, particularly these dogs,
35:54who need human beings.
35:58They're caring for them.
35:59And if you're not going to do that and even go beyond to commit harm against one of these innocent dogs,
36:07then you need to be held accountable.
36:09And I do think it's going to be a deterrent as people see that this happens.
36:14And I know they did the thing with Trooper.
36:16When that happened, the state attorney in Hillsborough County, she pursued it, Susie Lopez.
36:21And I think that made a big difference.
36:23So these are the tools.
36:25Obviously, you've got to be able to prove a case and all that.
36:28But as long as it's a viable case on the facts, I think you're going to see people want to take this on.
36:34And I think that when the Trooper situation happened in the Tampa Bay area, there was huge, huge support from the public to be able to hold that individual accountable.
36:44I mean, you know, why you would chain them on a fence on an interstate with a – at the time, it was a Category 5.
36:52Now, it slowed, but this thing was approaching.
36:55And, you know, you have all the water that was rising.
36:58And I'm just thinking to myself, what would possess you to do that?
37:02I mean, if you're evacuating, you're taking the dog in your car and dumping them instead of just keeping them in your car.
37:08It just makes no sense.
37:10And there are some times that people are doing things that need a very swift response.
37:16So I know that there's going to be other conversations going forward about other ways that we can do.
37:22You know, it's just 95% of the people in our society would never do any of this stuff, right?
37:29You wouldn't even need the laws.
37:30They're just not going to do it because they know.
37:31But you've got that small number of people who just don't have the same basic care for the pets and these animals that almost everybody else does.
37:43And that can turn very sadistic, as we saw in Dexter's case.
37:47And there's people that have a fetish of being cruel to animals.
37:51And, again, this is a very small percentage, but they can do a lot of damage.
37:56And so it's our job to hold them accountable.
37:58Okay, guys, thank you.
38:01Good job.