Allie, a 5 year-old Boston Terrier, suffered at the hands of her human caretakers. They left scars on her face, ears and legs. The horrific circumstances that she suffered through had been recognized as a situation of abuse by a veterinarian in the past, yet no authority was notified. Until she was rescued from her abusers no one spoke for her.

Violence against animals does not stop with the animal’s mistreatment. Research has found that there is a correlation between animal abuse and abuse among humans, including child and domestic violence. The links between these different forms of abuse can only be described as a cycle of cruel behavior called the Toxic Triad.

Allie’s Law

The cycle must end. Animal abuse is a warning sign that a home is not safe. There is an absolute urgency to stop acts of cruelty towards animals and take measures against this violent trait.

Ask the State of Florida to pass Allie’s Law, a general Animal Cruelty statute that makes it mandatory for any veterinary professional to report visible signs of animal cruelty to law enforcement or animal control.

The current legislation does NOT require a veterinarian to file a report with local law enforcement or animal control when they see clear signs of animal mistreatment. Allie’s Law would change that.

The second part of the bill would declare it a criminal act for a veterinary professional to intentionally alter or change the medical records of an animal to hide the abuse. Allie’s rescue story speaks to the importance of including this provision.

After being in labor for 24 hours with her third litter of puppies before the age of three, Allie’s owner dropped his abused dog off at the hospital with no money to pay for a C-section. Allie was surrendered to the animal hospital where she had five puppies.

There were no notes in the medical record of the puppies she birthed and the timeline of the procedures seem to be tampered with. According to an office manager, it was later discovered that the abusive breeder had demanded he/she take the puppies when she had them, leaving Allie behind to be sold off for a $400.00 bounty on Craigslist under the hospital’s account.

Why is the law important?

When Allie was rescued by the Boston Terrier Rescue of Florida she showed obvious signs of abuse. The vet tech that was at the animal hospital when she had her C-section said that the owner would throw food in the center of the floor at home and the 6 other Boston Terriers would fight to consume it. This partially accounted for the visible scars that covered her body.

In Allie’s case, the veterinarian could have saved an additional six puppies by submitting a report. The abuse that occurred at the breeder’s house could have been investigated and any further abuse blocked by THIS law. Allie’s Law would have assured she was the last victim.

Who supports this bill?

There are currently 16 states that mandate the reporting of animal abuse by veterinarians to law enforcement. The law is being introduced to Florida by Allie’s foster parents who will be adopting her when her heartworm treatment is finished at the end of April 2019.  Allie’s foster dad is the Vice President and a Board member of Boston Terrier Rescue of Florida the organization that protected Allie when they raised money to save her from the animal hospital she was sold to her foster family from. 

Why should we sign this now?

Florida is considered a high-risk state for animal abuse. There have been countless studies as to how animal abuse can indicate other forms of violence. The current law is not explicit - it is silent. In such a world of abuse, if it is silent, then it does not have to be reported. Passing Allie’s Law in 2020 would be legislation of protection.

What can you do to help RIGHT NOW beyond signing this petition?

·         Share this petition on social media.

·         Ask your friends, family, and co-workers to sign the petition.

·         Follow Allie’s Law on Facebook at @Allie’s Law

Resources:

Allie’s Law: https://allieslaw.org

Boston Terrier Rescue of Florida: https://bostonrescueflorida.org

The National Link Coalition: http://nationallinkcoalition.org/faqs/what-is-the-link

Facts About Animal Abuse & Domestic Violence: https://www.iheartdogs.org/facts-about-animal-abuse-domestic-violence/

(PLEASE NOTE: DONATING ON THIS PAGE DOES NOT DONATE TO ALLIE’S LAW.  IT ONLY PROMOTES THE PETITION. If you wish to promote and get the word out, please feel free,  but to donate to Allie’s Law, please email us at HelpAllie@AlliesLaw.org.  Thanks!)