At a Glance

A Florida bill would help ensure the safety of dogs during natural disasters.If the bill passes, a person who leaves a dog outside and tied up could face a fine of up to $5,000.

A new, proposed Florida bill making its way through the state's Senate could be a lifesaver for man's best friend.

Introduced by Florida Sen. Joe Gruters, would require pet owners to be responsible for their dogs during manmade and natural disasters like hurricanes. If passed, the law would impose a first-degree misdemeanor and a fine of up to $5,000 on a person who leaves a dog outside and tied up during a disaster.

“We’ve seen these three hurricanes and seen to different things,” Gruters said during a committee hearing on Monday, according to the News Service of Florida. “We want to give dogs a fighting chance.”

The the Senate Agriculture Committee 5-0 this week and is now in the hands of state senators, WFLA reported.

Several local communities already have similar ordinances but this is the first state-wide measure to ensure the safety of man's best friend.

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During Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 storm that struck Florida in 2017, about during the storm and rescued by Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control, Fox4 reported.

"Absolutely unacceptable. People need to be responsible pet owners in this community," Dave Aronberg, state attorney for Palm Beach County, said at the time. "There is no excuse for leaving your pet behind to die. We are going to hold accountable those who we can prove left their dogs behind in the storm."