Florida's Dexter's Law created a public animal abuse registry to help shelters, rescues, pet sellers, and dog owners identify people with animal cruelty records.
The law, passed as House Bill 255, was signed in 2025 and directed the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to post a searchable online registry starting Jan. 1, 2026. The FDLE animal cruelty registry is now live.
The registry includes people who have been convicted of, or who entered a guilty or no contest plea to, animal cruelty offenses under Florida Statute 828.12. FDLE says the information is updated when it receives final disposition data from Florida criminal justice agencies.
Is Florida's Animal Abuse Registry Live?
Yes. The Florida animal abuse registry is now live through FDLE. You can search Florida's animal abuse registry to look up qualifying animal cruelty records reported to the state. You can also download the full registry database as an Excel file directly from the FDLE website.
Dog owners, shelters, rescues, breeders, and pet-related businesses can use the registry as one more screening tool before placing an animal with someone.
Who Appears On The Florida Animal Abuse Registry?
The FDLE registry applies to people connected to animal cruelty offenses under Florida Statute 828.12.
That can include people who were convicted, pleaded guilty, or pleaded no contest. The law also says the registry applies regardless of adjudication.
Florida Statute 828.12 covers animal cruelty and aggravated animal cruelty. Aggravated animal cruelty includes acts that result in cruel death, excessive pain, repeated suffering, or similar serious harm to an animal.
New 2026 Update To Florida Animal Welfare Law
Florida added another animal welfare update in 2026 through HB 559.
This new law takes effect Oct. 1, 2026. It strengthens animal cruelty laws, creates new felony offenses involving adults who cause or encourage minors to take part in serious animal cruelty, and requires juveniles convicted of animal cruelty offenses to undergo psychological evaluation and treatment when needed.
HB 559 also expands the FDLE animal abuse database. The new database rules include more required offender details, clearer posting time limits, and a process for certain people to petition for removal if a conviction is overturned or a related criminal history record is sealed.
Why Dexter's Law Matters For Dog Owners
Dexter's Law gives Florida a statewide way to track certain animal cruelty offenders.
For Broward County dog owners, this can be useful before rehoming a dog, hiring someone to care for a pet, working with a rescue, or placing an animal with a new owner.
The registry does not replace common sense. You should still ask questions, check references, meet people carefully, and work with trusted shelters or rescues. But the registry gives Floridians one more tool to help protect animals.
THE MESSAGE IS CLEAR. There is no place to hide in Florida if you abuse the voiceless.
FAQ
What is Dexter's Law in Florida?
Dexter's Law is a Florida animal cruelty law that created a public FDLE animal abuse registry and increased penalties for serious animal cruelty cases.
Is the Florida animal abuse registry active?
Yes. The FDLE animal cruelty registry is now live and searchable online.
Who is listed on the FDLE animal abuse registry?
The registry includes certain people convicted of, or who pleaded guilty or no contest to, animal cruelty offenses under Florida Statute 828.12.
Did Florida update Dexter's Law in 2026?
Florida passed HB 559 in 2026. It expands animal welfare protections and updates rules connected to the FDLE animal abuse database. The law takes effect Oct. 1, 2026.
Official Source: FDLE Animal Abuse Registry, Florida Statute 828.12, Florida HB 255, and Florida HB 559.
