Post Falls man wants to protect Idaho's animals

Post Falls resident Jeremiah Rodriguez is petitioning to make stronger protections for animals in Idaho. 

Rodriguez started the petition last week after researching Idaho’s laws and discovering that Idaho ranked 48th in animal protection laws. 

“I’ve always had that passion for protecting animals,” Rodriguez said. “It’s sad seeing the hoarding cases or where an animal is killed and then that same person can go out and get another animal.” 

After reading and hearing about cases where animals have been abandoned or left in hazardous conditions in Kootenai County, Rodriguez wanted to find a way to deter future acts of cruelty and neglect.    

Then he came across a Florida law that went into effect last summer.  

“The thing that stood out to me about Dexter’s Law was that people who had abused animals were put on a registry like a sex offender registry. Law enforcement or shelters are able to pull up that information,” Rodriguez said. 

Rodriguez was inspired by Dexter’s Law, which provides harsher penalties for aggravated animal cruelty cases.  

“If Florida can do it, why can’t Idaho,” he wondered. 

Rodriguez previously worked with law enforcement and animal control in Idaho and Spokane County and said he felt driven to make a change. 

“That experience gave me general exposure to how animal cruelty and neglect issues are addressed at the local level and some of the challenges that can arise,” Rodriguez said. "I’ve talked to a few of my friends and started the petition online.” 

On Sept. 2, the Coeur d’Alene City Council voted to amend its animal cruelty ordinance to address the volume of dogs being left in cars without water or ventilation during summer heatwaves. 

Animal control received 110 calls about dogs left in hot cars between March 19 and Sept. 22, 2024, with only two resulting in citations. 

In 2025, from March 20 until Aug. 18, animal control received 58 calls about dogs in hot cars, and only one citation was issued. 

Since cruelty to animals under the state code begins at the misdemeanor level, it generally results in misdemeanor charges unless they’re repeat offenders.  

The petition has collected 240 signatures. Rodriguez plans to approach county and city leaders to garner support for changes at the state level and to add teeth to local penalties.

“A lot of people care about animals and like to see animals protected better,” Rodriguez said.