Perpetrators of animal cruelty could face greater penalties in the City of Miami under new proposals to crack down on animal abuse.<\/p>\n
City leaders have proposed a series of ordinances on Miami’s Oct. 22 commission agenda to increase fines for animal cruelty<\/a> by more than $2,000 and update definitions of the city’s leash laws and guidelines for the treatment of animals.<\/p>\n Commissioner Damian Pardo told WLRN the proposals come as a direct response to recent coverage of a malnourished dog found stuck on a Miami high rise balcony<\/a> for several days, as well as other reports from residents of animal mistreatment.<\/p>\n “We get pretty consistent streams of emails from residents reporting people throwing dogs into the water and a general upsurge in recent animal cruelty activity. We’d like to seek higher fines and more restrictions if possible,” Pardo said.<\/p>\n Florida House Bill 559<\/a> recently created new guidelines to address animal cruelty across the state, including by allowing municipalities to increase fines and penalties.<\/p>\n