Florida criminal charge
Killing dog or cat with intent of selling or giving away pelt; possession, sale, or importation of pelt with intent of selling or giving away; penalty in Florida
Killing dog or cat with intent of selling or giving away pelt; possession, sale, or importation of pelt with intent of selling or giving away; penalty is a criminal offense under Florida law, defined by Fla. Stat. § 828.123. 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. § 828.123.
What is the penalty for killing dog or cat with intent of selling or giving away pelt; possession, sale, or importation of pelt with intent of selling or giving away; penalty in Florida?
| Penalty | Range | Basis | Authority |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jail / prison | up to 5 years (Killing a dog or cat for pelt — A person kills any dog or cat with the sole intent of selling or giving away the pelt of such animal.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Killing a dog or cat for pelt — A person kills any dog or cat with the sole intent of selling or giving away the pelt of such 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 (Possessing, importing, selling, buying, or giving away a dog/cat pelt — A person possesses, imports, sells, buys, gives away, or accepts a dog or cat pelt with the sole intent of selling or giving away that pelt.; county jail, not state prison (s. 775.08(2))) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $1,000 (Possessing, importing, selling, buying, or giving away a dog/cat pelt — A person possesses, imports, sells, buys, gives away, or accepts a dog or cat pelt with the sole intent of selling or giving away that pelt.; 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 (Acquiring a dog or cat for the purpose of killing it for its pelt — A person possesses, imports, sells, buys, gives away, or accepts a dog or cat with the sole intent of killing it or having it killed to sell or give away its pelt.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Acquiring a dog or cat for the purpose of killing it for its pelt — A person possesses, imports, sells, buys, gives away, or accepts a dog or cat with the sole intent of killing it or having it killed to sell or give away its pelt.; 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 (Dealing or trading in dog/cat pelts or furs — A person knowingly engages in the business of a dealer or buyer in dog or cat pelts or furs, purchases such pelts/furs in the state, or a common carrier knowingly ships, transports, or receives such pelts or furs for transportation within the state.) | discretionary | Fla. Stat. § 775.082 |
| Fine | up to $5,000 (Dealing or trading in dog/cat pelts or furs — A person knowingly engages in the business of a dealer or buyer in dog or cat pelts or furs, purchases such pelts/furs in the state, or a common carrier knowingly ships, transports, or receives such pelts or furs for transportation within the state.; 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 killing dog or cat with intent of selling or giving away pelt; possession, sale, or importation of pelt with intent of selling or giving away; penalty classified in Florida?
The classification depends on the circumstances:
| Variant | Classification | When it applies | Statute |
|---|---|---|---|
| Killing a dog or cat for pelt | Felony of the Third Degree | A person kills any dog or cat with the sole intent of selling or giving away the pelt of such animal. | Fla. Stat. § 828.123(1) |
| Possessing, importing, selling, buying, or giving away a dog/cat pelt | Misdemeanor of the First Degree | A person possesses, imports, sells, buys, gives away, or accepts a dog or cat pelt with the sole intent of selling or giving away that pelt. | Fla. Stat. § 828.123(2) |
| Acquiring a dog or cat for the purpose of killing it for its pelt | Felony of the Third Degree | A person possesses, imports, sells, buys, gives away, or accepts a dog or cat with the sole intent of killing it or having it killed to sell or give away its pelt. | Fla. Stat. § 828.123(3) |
| Dealing or trading in dog/cat pelts or furs | Felony of the Third Degree | A person knowingly engages in the business of a dealer or buyer in dog or cat pelts or furs, purchases such pelts/furs in the state, or a common carrier knowingly ships, transports, or receives such pelts or furs for transportation within the state. | Fla. Stat. § 828.123(4) |
Common questions about killing dog or cat with intent of selling or giving away pelt; possession, sale, or importation of pelt with intent of selling or giving away; penalty in Florida
Is killing dog or cat with intent of selling or giving away pelt; possession, sale, or importation of pelt with intent of selling or giving away; penalty a felony or a misdemeanor in Florida?
It depends on the circumstances: killing dog or cat with intent of selling or giving away pelt; possession, sale, or importation of pelt with intent of selling or giving away; penalty ranges from a Misdemeanor of the First Degree to a Felony of the Third Degree in Florida under Fla. Stat. § 828.123.
Killing a dog or cat for pelt: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 828.123(1)) · Possessing, importing, selling, buying, or giving away a dog/cat pelt: Misdemeanor of the First Degree (Fla. Stat. § 828.123(2)) · Acquiring a dog or cat for the purpose of killing it for its pelt: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 828.123(3)) · Dealing or trading in dog/cat pelts or furs: Felony of the Third Degree (Fla. Stat. § 828.123(4))
What are the penalties for killing dog or cat with intent of selling or giving away pelt; possession, sale, or importation of pelt with intent of selling or giving away; penalty in Florida?
Penalties for killing dog or cat with intent of selling or giving away pelt; possession, sale, or importation of pelt with intent of selling or giving away; penalty 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 killing dog or cat with intent of selling or giving away pelt; possession, sale, or importation of pelt with intent of selling or giving away; penalty?
Killing dog or cat with intent of selling or giving away pelt; possession, sale, or importation of pelt with intent of selling or giving away; penalty is governed by Fla. Stat. § 828.123 (Killing dog or cat with intent of selling or giving away pelt; possession, sale, or importation of pelt with intent of selling or giving away; penalty).
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.