28/12/2025
Starting January 1, the new statewide animal cruelty database will officially take effect.
Thank you to State Representative Linda Chaney for always being a strong and consistent champion for animals. And thank you, Debbie Dorino, for your commitment to developing this legislation.
Who is included in the database:
Anyone convicted of animal cruelty on or after January 1, 2026, or anyone who has pleaded guilty or no contest (nolo contendere) — even if adjudication was withheld — will be entered into the database.
The “Fresh Start” on January 1
The database will begin adding names on Day One. Because prior convictions are not included, shelters, rescues, and pet stores must continue to perform traditional background checks and consult local county registries (such as those in Volusia, Marion, or Hillsborough Counties) to identify older offenses.
Why prior convictions are not included
We have been asked why past convictions are excluded. The primary reason the bill sponsors and legal teams structured the law this way is to avoid Ex Post Facto constitutional challenges.
In legal terms, applying a new penalty — such as placement on a public registry — to conduct that occurred before the law existed is often ruled unconstitutional by the courts. To ensure that Dexter’s Law would withstand legal challenges and remain permanently in effect, the legislature limited its application to convictions moving forward.
Strengthening enforcement with Dexter’s Law
Now, attention turns to state attorneys’ offices and judges fully utilizing Dexter’s Law (HB 255), which introduces a 1.25x sentencing multiplier. This multiplier is applied to a defendant’s sentencing scoresheet and raises the minimum permissible sentence.
By increasing the scoresheet calculation, the law makes it far more likely that serious animal abusers will face mandatory prison time, rather than probation or minimal jail sentences.
Looking ahead
As of now, the Animal Justice Task Force’s research shows very little meaningful prosecution of animal cruelty cases statewide. We sincerely hope this changes as the law is implemented and enforced.
We are grateful to everyone who helped pass this legislation. Without it, Florida would still lack a centralized, statewide database for shelters and rescues to use. It is a critical step forward in strengthening animal welfare laws and protecting animals across our state.
