Florida criminal charge
Confinement of animals without sufficient food, water, or exercise; abandonment of animals in Florida
Confinement of animals without sufficient food, water, or exercise; abandonment of animals is a criminal offense under Florida law, defined by Fla. Stat. § 828.13. Its classification is not fixed: Florida assigns a different penalty class depending on the circumstances of the offense. The class that applies — and the sentencing range that follows from it — depends on which statutory variant fits the facts.
Defined by Fla. Stat. § 828.13.
What is the penalty for confinement of animals without sufficient food, water, or exercise; abandonment of animals in Florida?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 1 year (Failure to provide sufficient food/water/exercise or abandoning dying animal — A person impounds/confines an animal without sufficient food and water, keeps animals without wholesome exercise and change of air, or abandons to die a maimed, sick, infirm, or diseased animal.; county jail, not state prison (s. 775.08(2))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Failure to provide sufficient food/water/exercise or abandoning dying animal — A person impounds/confines an animal without sufficient food and water, keeps animals without wholesome exercise and change of air, or abandons to die a maimed, sick, infirm, or diseased animal.; or up to double the pecuniary gain/loss (s. 775.083(1)(f)); statutes may authorize higher (s. 775.083(1)(g))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Jail / prison | up to 1 year (Abandonment causing suffering or malnutrition, or abandonment in public place — An owner, possessor, or custodian of an animal abandons it to suffer injury or malnutrition, or abandons it in a street, road, or public place without providing care, sustenance, protection, and shelter.; county jail, not state prison (s. 775.08(2))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Abandonment causing suffering or malnutrition, or abandonment in public place — An owner, possessor, or custodian of an animal abandons it to suffer injury or malnutrition, or abandons it in a street, road, or public place without providing care, sustenance, protection, and shelter.; or up to double the pecuniary gain/loss (s. 775.083(1)(f)); statutes may authorize higher (s. 775.083(1)(g))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Abandonment of restrained dog during natural disaster — A person restrains a dog outside during a natural disaster and thereafter abandons the dog.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Abandonment of restrained dog during natural disaster — A person restrains a dog outside during a natural disaster and thereafter abandons the dog.; or up to double the pecuniary gain/loss (s. 775.083(1)(f)); statutes may authorize higher (s. 775.083(1)(g))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
Applies to current (2025 Florida Statutes).
How is confinement of animals without sufficient food, water, or exercise; abandonment of animals classified in Florida?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Failure to provide sufficient food/water/exercise or abandoning dying animal | Misdemeanor of the First Degree | A person impounds/confines an animal without sufficient food and water, keeps animals without wholesome exercise and change of air, or abandons to die a maimed, sick, infirm, or diseased animal. | Fla. Stat. § 828.13(2) |
| Abandonment causing suffering or malnutrition, or abandonment in public place | Misdemeanor of the First Degree | An owner, possessor, or custodian of an animal abandons it to suffer injury or malnutrition, or abandons it in a street, road, or public place without providing care, sustenance, protection, and shelter. | Fla. Stat. § 828.13(3) |
| Abandonment of restrained dog during natural disaster | Felony of the Third Degree | A person restrains a dog outside during a natural disaster and thereafter abandons the dog. | Fla. Stat. § 828.13(4) |
Common questions about confinement of animals without sufficient food, water, or exercise; abandonment of animals in Florida
Is confinement of animals without sufficient food, water, or exercise; abandonment of animals a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
It depends on the circumstances: confinement of animals without sufficient food, water, or exercise; abandonment of animals ranges from a Misdemeanor of the First Degree to a Felony of the Third Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 828.13.
Failure to provide sufficient food/water/exercise or abandoning dying animal: Misdemeanor of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 828.13(2)) · Abandonment causing suffering or malnutrition, or abandonment in public place: Misdemeanor of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 828.13(3)) · Abandonment of restrained dog during natural disaster: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 828.13(4))
What are the penalties for confinement of animals without sufficient food, water, or exercise; abandonment of animals in Florida?
Penalties for confinement of animals without sufficient food, water, or exercise; abandonment of animals in Florida depend on how it is classified — from a Misdemeanor of the First Degree up to a Felony of the Third Degree — with the ranges set by Fla. Stat. § 775.082; the full table of ranges by variant is published on this page.
Which Florida statute covers confinement of animals without sufficient food, water, or exercise; abandonment of animals?
Confinement of animals without sufficient food, water, or exercise; abandonment of animals is governed by Fla. Stat. § 828.13 (Confinement of animals without sufficient food, water, or exercise; abandonment of animals).
Legal terms used in this law
This reference is informational and is not legal advice. Penalty ranges are the statutory classification ranges; sentencing in a specific case depends on its facts and history.