FLORIDA, USA — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed three major bills into law Wednesday, enacting sweeping changes to animal protection and firearm regulations as the state heads into hurricane season.

Trooper’s law targets pet abandonment during disasters

Senate Bill 150, known as Trooper’s Law, makes it a third-degree felony to restrain and abandon a dog outdoors during a declared natural disaster or when an evacuation order is in effect.

The law was inspired by the rescue of Trooper, a bull terrier found chained in rising floodwaters along Interstate 75 during Hurricane Milton last year.

Under the new statute, offenders face up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

The law also classifies failing to provide confined animals with adequate food, water, or exercise as a first-degre

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