TARPON SPRINGS — A Tarpon Springs man was arrested on November 30, 2025, in connection with the death of his dog, a three-year-old Golden Doodle named Herbie. Authorities charged 65-year-old Michael Paul Schmalix with Animal Cruelty, a third-degree felony under Florida law.
According to the arrest affidavit, law enforcement responded to a call around 4:13 p.m. at the Sun Valley Mobile Home Park on US Highway 19 N. Officers found Schmalix passed out on the roadside, lying on top of Herbie. Once moved, the dog was determined to be deceased.
The affidavit states that Herbie was known to be friendly and non-aggressive, according to neighbors and Schmalix’s wife. Evidence indicated that the dog had been choked to death, with a leash double-knotted tightly around its neck, restricting airflow, and its mouth filled with dirt and grass. Schmalix had scratch marks on his torso, arms, and legs, and was unable to explain the circumstances of the dog’s death.
Schmalix was taken into custody for violating Florida Statute, which addresses intentionally causing an animal’s death or inflicting unnecessary pain. He was booked at 6:06 p.m. the same day.
He was released from the Pinellas County Jail on December 2, 2025, after posting a Bond of $15,000
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.