Florida Laws Governing Animal Abuse in Kennels
- Kennels have a legal responsibility to the health and happiness of the animals they provide.dog sleeping in metal kennel image by Paul Retherford from Fotolia.com
Kennels and animal sellers have ethical and legal responsibilities to maintain the health and quality of life of the animals in their care. Every state has its own laws regarding animal cruelty and the requirements under which kennels must operate and Florida is no exception. - A pet shop or kennel has legal right to euthanize an animal if they deem that it is in the best interest of that animal. Any warm-blooded animal must be euthanized using sodium pentobarbital or a derivative of it. Sodium pentobarbital affects the central nervous system and has been deemed a humane way of ending an animal's life. An intravenous injection via needle is the required administration method unless circumstances make it impossible. An animal may be tranquilized prior to the drug being given if the substance being used is deemed safe and humane to the animal. Succinylcholine chloride or any other neuro-muscular blocking agent is prohibited.
- While Florida has multiple provisions defining animal cruelty and the penalties applied to each, the first provision in section 828.12 states that depriving an animal of nutrition or shelter or treating them in a way that is deemed to be painful or causes unnecessary harm is a misdemeanor on the first offense and is punishable by a fine up to $5,000. Pushing an animal past the point of its natural endurance or stamina is also considered cruelty and the kennel is held accountable for those infractions. An agent of the state can be assigned to investigate and research the conditions of the kennel and the health of the animals housed there.
- The previous provision includes inadvertent mistreatment of animals, but if intent is proven to be intentional, the charge is upgraded to a felony and a possible $10,000 fine. Causing intentional harm or "excessive or repeated infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering" is a serious crime and is also punishable by jail time in addition to the aforementioned fine. If a kennel is found to be in violation, the kennel can be shut down by the state.
