“Dexter’s Law” bill to publicize animal abuser identities, increase sentences making its way through Senate
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCJB) – A Florida Senate committee unanimously passed Tallahassee’s version of “Molly’s Law.”
Molly’s law originated in Marion County and puts animal abusers on a public list to prevent them from adopting another animal.
RELATED: SPCA of Ocala taking ‘Molly’s Law’ statewide
This is the second time the committee has voted favorably on the law, which would require law enforcement to post the names of registered animal abusers on their website. It also provides a sentence multiplier for those convicted of aggravated animal cruelty.
The bill, FL-H0255, requires one more favorable vote from the committee before the entire Senate can vote on it.
The House has already filed its version of the bill.
If the Senate version of the bill passes, it must then be signed by the Governor to become law.
Thursday morning, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice voted 8-to-0 on “Dexter’s Law.”
Florida bill would create searchable database of animal abusers
Molly’s Law: A Push for Public Animal Abuse Registries
Florida bill would create searchable database of animal abusers
City unveils statue honoring animal abuse survivor Molly
https://www.ocala-news.com/2023/06/07/city-unveils-statue-honoring-animal-abuse-survivor-molly/
A statue honoring Molly, the ambassador for the Marion County Animal Abuser Registry, was unveiled near Ocala City Hall on Wednesday morning.
Sculpted by Nilda Comas, the statue memorializes Molly, who passed away earlier this year at the age of 15. Molly had suffered severe abuse at the hands of a previous owner.
Molly’s experience was the inspiration behind the Animal Abuser Registry, which is an ordinance that passed in 2016. The registry identifies any offender convicted of an animal abuse crime, allowing citizens, pet sellers, and rescue organizations to verify that they are not placing an animal with an abuser.
After being rescued, Molly lived out the remainder of her years with Lilly Baron, president of SPCA of Ocala. Baron attended this morning’s ceremony to commemorate her friend, and she was joined by several city, county, and state officials.
Molly’s statue is located in front of the City of Ocala’s Citizen Service Center at 201 SE 3rd Street, across from the Ocala Downtown Market.
For more information on the Animal Abuser Registry, visit the Marion County Animal Services website.