- April 24, 2024
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Port Orange City officials are considering increased penalties for individuals who are charged with animal cruelty.
The issue was brought up during the Tuesday, July 18 City Council meeting due to a reported increase in animal cruelty cases within Volusia County. There have been three animal cruelty reports in Port Orange since late 2015, according to city officials.
The city is looking at a similar resolution to the one proposed, and passed, in Ponce Inlet after a resident was accused of beating and killing his 9-month-old puppy in April. The man, Travis Archer, was charged with a third-degree felony in the incident, which made national headlines. Authorities in Ponce Inlet have proposed stricter punishment for animal cruelty by changing the penalty from a third-degree felony to a second-degree felony.
Daytona Beach Shores also passed a similar animal cruelty resolution.
According to the Port Orange agenda, Ponce Inlet officials are now looking to other cities in Volusia County to form their own resolutions asking state legislatures to implement harsher penalties in animal cruelty cases. Port Orange Mayor Don Burnette said the resolution may be on the next agenda as the city could use the same language as the Daytona Beach Shores resolution, which he has already gone over.
"We would send the regulation to the state to improve their statues," Burnette said, adding they would see "if there's anything we can do to improve our city ordinances for enforcement at the same time also."
News 13 reported the New Smyrna Beach City Commission was also asked to approve a resolution that called for "state lawmakers to make acts of animal cruelty a second-degree felony."
Another incident brought to the Daytona Beach Police Department's attention occurred two years ago when a woman posted a photo of a dog with its mouth duct taped. The woman was located in North Carolina and charged with a Class 1 Misdemeanor Cruelty to Animals.
According to Florida's Cruelty to Animals Statutes, third degree felony from aggravated animal cruelty is punishable by a prison sentence up to five years and a maximum fine of $10,000.
