Proposed FL Bill Bans Dogs From Hanging Heads Out Car Windows

TALLAHASSEE, FL — A proposed bill introduced last week in the Florida Senate wants to ban dogs statewide from sticking their heads out of a moving car's window.

The provision is among several in Florida Senate Bill 932, which also seeks to ban cat declawing and cosmetics testing on animals. State Minority Democratic Leader Lauren Book introduced the bill.

If passed, the bill would prohibit dogs from sticking any part out of a car window. It would also forbid owners from driving a car with a dog in their lap or in front of them.

The bill also specifies that owners would not be allowed to transport dogs on a running board, fender, hood, roof of a motor vehicle, in the trunk of a motor vehicle, or in an enclosed motor vehicle space intended for cargo.

Instead, the law would require dogs to be restrained with a harness or pet seat belt and be "under the physical control" of a person other than the car's driver. The bill states that if riding in the back of the truck, dogs must be in an appropriately-sized crate.

Violators would be subjected to noncriminal traffic infractions, according to the bill.

The bill would also prohibit cat declawing unless "for a therapeutic purpose," according to the bill. In all other cases, a veterinarian caught declawing a cat would be subject to disciplinary action,n including license suspension and a $5,000 fine.

According to the bill, a cat could be declawed if it addresses a medical condition or other illness, disease, or injury.

The bill also calls for a ban on animal cosmetics testing unless necessary under state or federal law.

Additionally, manufacturers would not be able to test cosmetics on animals unless it is necessary under federal or state law, and in that case, manufacturers would have to indicate animal testing on product labels.

Finally, the bill would place restrictions on tethering animals. Tethering means to tie a domestic dog or cat to a stationary or inanimate object with a rope, a chain, or another means to restrict, confine, or restrain the animal's movement," according to the bill.

If a dog or cat is tethered, the bill would require them to always be visible to owners. A person must be present while an animal is tethered, and tethering would be prohibited during extreme heat or cold, thunderstorms, tornadoes, tropical storms, or hurricanes.

If passed, the bill would take effect on July 1.