Animal Confinement and Abandonment 
Under Florida Statute § 828.13, it is a first-degree misdemeanor to confine (i.e., caging or tying up an animal without food, water, air, exercise, etc.) or abandon (i.e., leaving an animal to die or leaving it in a public place with water, food, protection, etc.) an animal.

The penalties for animal confinement and abandonment include one or both of the following:

Up to 1 year in prison
A maximum fine of $5,000

 While some people might not think of animal abuse as a big deal, Florida law disagrees. The State of Florida currently has several animal abuse laws in place. These laws, which also detail the various animal abuse penalties, protect pets like cats and dogs as well as livestock like cattle, chickens, and pigs.

If you are caught harming an animal in Florida, you will face criminal charges. The penalties for crimes against animals in Florida vary depending on the type of abuse but include steep fines and even prison terms.

Animal Cruelty 
Under Florida Statute § 828.12, it is a first-degree misdemeanor to treat an animal with cruelty or in an inhumane manner. Cruelty towards animals includes:

“Overloading, overdriving, or tormenting”
Depriving of food, water, or shelter
Mutilating or killing an animal in a cruel manner
Penalties for animal cruelty in Florida could include one or both of the following:

Up to one year in prison
A maximum fine of $5,000
Aggravated Animal Cruelty 
It is a third-degree felony to intentionally cause an animal’s cruel death or to intentionally cause the animal to experience excessive or repetitive infliction of unnecessary pain or suffering.

Penalties for aggravated animal cruelty in Florida could include one of both of the following:

Up to five years in prison
A maximum fine of $10,000
If the defendant tortured or tormented an animal with the intent to injure, mutilate, or kill, the penalties could also include:

A minimum fine of $2,500
Psychological counseling or anger management treatment program
If the state has already convicted the defendant of animal cruelty in the past and the current charge will be the defendant’s second conviction for aggravated animal cruelty, the penalties will include:

A minimum mandatory fine of $5,000
A minimum mandatory incarceration of six months
No chance of parole or early release