For Immediate Release: July 1, 2013

(Tallahassee, FL) — On Friday, June 28, Governor Rick Scott signed into law House Bill 851, reinstating a ban on the artificial coloring and sale of baby chickens, ducklings and rabbits. The new law takes effect July 1.

The Animal Rights Foundation of Florida (ARFF) thanks Senator Maria Sachs, Senator Jeff Brandes and Representative Jared Evan Moskowitz for their leadership in getting these important protections for animals to the Governor’s desk.

“ARFF is very happy that Governor Scott has signed legislation to restore protections afforded animals in the 1967 law that was repealed last year,” said ARFF Communications Director Don Anthony. “Once again, bunnies, chicks and ducklings are protected from neglect or abandonment.”

In addition to reinstating the prohibition on artificial coloring and sale of animals, House Bill 851 also strengthens Florida’s animal cruelty law by specifying that a person who commits multiple acts of cruelty against one animal or acts of cruelty against more than one animal may be charged with a separate offense for each act, and by making animal fighting punishable under Florida’s anti-racketeering (RICO) law.

# # #