Senate bill would make animal cruelty a felony By Times Staff Writer Published April 25, 2004
TALLAHASSEE - Senate President Jim King has a special affinity for animals.
"The more I'm around people, the more I realize how important dogs are," King said Saturday after the Senate approved a bill enhancing the penalties for animal cruelty.
King has two black Labrador retrievers, Jimini and Melinda.
"They are God's beings and don't need to be mistreated," he said. "I have no problem with rodeos, I'm talking about people who cow tip, light fire to cats and put bunnies in microwaves."
Take a look at the inmates on death row, King suggested, and you'll find almost all of them have animal cruelty in their backgrounds.
The bill, sponsored by Sen. Jim Sebesta, R-St. Petersburg, would make animal cruelty a felony instead of a misdemeanor.
Instead of facing a maximum one year prison sentence and a $5,000 fine, those convicted of animal cruelty in the future could face a maximum five-year sentence and fines of up to $10,000. An intentional act that causes the death of an animal would subject the perpetrator to a second-degree felony and require a minimum mandatory six months in jail and a $2,500 fine.
A similar bill is pending in the House.
FV SAYS: JIM KING SHOULD STEP DOWN AS SENATE PRESIDENT. His remarks are outrageous and if he feels that dogs are more important than people, he should RUN FOR PRESIDENT OF PETA and stop killing Florida's humans. I know tons of people have been calling and emailing Jim King and not to compliment him on his great legacy as Senate President. GOOD JOB.
Please call Senator Byrd whose number doesn't work today and Governor Bush whose voicemail is kinda long.
Why wait until November? JIM KING SHOULD RESIGN NOW. He's offensive, outta control, he's pals with the death lobby and with our kooky Pinellas County Judges.
BIAS, BIAS, BIAS.
What is Terri if Jim King's labs are God's beings? IS NOT TERRI GOD'S BEING AS WELL????? Apparently not. King wouldn't allow SB 692 to protect disabled Floridians to the floor but THEY HELD A SATURDAY SESSION to prevent cruelty to animals.
Anyone outraged yet? This is getting more ridiculous with each day that passes... before the session started JIM KING asked Sen. Miller from Tampa to SING THE LORD'S PRAYER. They were sobbing like babies... no tears for Terri though.