- February 6, 2025
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Florida Sen. Tom Leek (R-Ormond Beach) filed legislation on Wednesday, Feb. 5, to enhance criminal punishments for animal cruelty offenses.
The legislation, Senate Bill 502, further defines the term domestic animal and states that, if the offender is convicted of an animal cruelty crime toward a domestic animal, the sentence points are multiplied by 1.25 under the Florida Criminal Punishment Code, according to a press release. The Florida Criminal Punishment Code is used to determine the severity of a sentence.
“Abuse against helpless animals is one of the most heinous acts that can be committed, and punishment for a perpetrator should be swift and severe,” Leek said in the press release. “I am proud to continue my work in addressing animal cruelty in the state of Florida by strengthening penalties for those who prey upon domestic animals.”
SB 502 has the support of State Attorney RJ Larizza of the Seventh Judicial Circuit.
"This bill will hold those accountable who choose to torture and abuse animals," he said in the press release.
Leek has also filed Senate Bill 494, which proposes access to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s database of people who have committed crimes against animals. This access would help animal adoption organizations ensure perpetrators are disqualified from adopting animals.
In January, Leek also filed Senate Bill 234, known as the "Officer Jordan Raynor Act," in honor of the Daytona Beach Police Department officer who was killed in 2021 in the line of duty. This bill proposes a revision on a prohibition on the use or threatened use of force to resist arrest or detention, as well as enhanced punishment for the manslaughter, assault or battery of law enforcement officers.
He also filed Senate Bill 466 to create a board of directors to oversee the commission, construction, operation and administration of Florida’s Museum of Black History, which will be located in St. Johns County.
