Florida legal term
Animal in Florida Criminal Law
Current through 2026 Florida legislative session
In Florida criminal law, “Animal” is a term defined by statute rather than by its everyday meaning. Its statutory definition — quoted verbatim below — controls how the term is applied throughout the Florida criminal code.
What does “Animal” mean in Florida criminal law?
“Animal” means any living dumb creature.(b) “Animal control officer” means any person employed or appointed by a county or municipality who is authorized to investigate, on public or private property, civil infractions relating to animal control or cruelty and to issue citations as provided in this section. (Fla. Stat. § 828.27)
Statutes defining or using this term
Charges using this term
- Agriculture warrants
- Cave vandalism and related offenses
- Confinement of animals without sufficient food, water, or exercise; abandonment of animals
- Contagious diseases
- Disposal of bodies of dead animals; penalty
- Dogs and cats transported or offered for sale; health requirements; consumer guarantee
- Euthanasia of animals offered for sale by pet shops
- Euthanasia of dogs and cats
- Exhibition of deformed animals prohibited; penalty
- False or fraudulent proof of need for an emotional support animal
- Fighting or baiting animals; offenses; penalties
- Fraudulently changing marks on animal
Related terms in the same statutes
This reference is informational and is not legal advice.