ST. PETERSBURG – Police arrested a St. Petersburg man on December 6, 2025, after officers said he intentionally killed two pet birds at his residence on 21st Street South.
According to the arrest affidavit, officers responded to the home around 9:12 p.m. The defendant, identified as 39-year-old Bradley Wade Walters, told officers after being advised of his rights that he grabbed one of his pet birds out of the air and killed it by squeezing and shaking it. He also stated he grabbed a second pet bird during the same incident, repeating the act. Officers reported that Walters admitted he dismembered the second bird after it died.
Officers observed two deceased birds in a garbage pail at the residence, including one with its head detached.
Walters was taken into custody and charged with one felony count of cruelty to animals.
Officers also filed an additional charge for resisting an officer with violence. According to the affidavit, Officers attempted to place Walters under arrest for animal cruelty and into protective custody under the Baker Act. During the arrest, officers reported that Walters locked his arms, pulled away, and then shrugged the officers to the side, causing both officers to fall. After receiving Miranda warnings, Walters stated he “tussled” with the officer.
He was booked into the Pinellas County Jail.
January 1st: New Florida Law Adds Animal-Cruelty Registry
Under legislation recently signed by Ron DeSantis, Florida is establishing a statewide public registry of animal-cruelty offenders. The measure — Dexter’s Law (House Bill 255 of 2025) — requires the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to maintain a searchable online database listing individuals convicted of, or who pleaded guilty or no contest to, crimes under the state’s cruelty-to-animals statute.
The law also increases penalties for aggravated animal cruelty: when the offense involves the knowing and intentional torture or killing of a companion animal, sentencing points are multiplied by 1.25.
Although the law took effect July 1, 2025, the registry itself must be posted online by January 1, 2026. According to the statute, once operational, the database will include the names (and potentially photographs or other identifying details) of individuals found guilty or who entered pleas for animal-cruelty offenses — even in cases where adjudication was withheld.
The registry aims to provide transparency — enabling shelters, rescues, and pet adopters to screen out individuals with a history of cruelty before allowing them to adopt or handle animals.