It's about time.
Republican Sen. Joe Gruters, of Sarasota, is sponsoring Senate Bill 1738, which would make it a first-degree misdemeanor to leave a restrained dog outside and unattended during a manmade disaster or natural disaster, with a fine up to $5,000 or up to a year in jail.
Sponsors of the bill say they want to give these animals "a fighting chance."
If passed the bill would go into effect on July 1.