Proposed Bill Would Require $100,000 in Liability Coverage for Dangerous Dogs

Dog owners often underestimate just how dangerous their dogs can be. The adage “man’s best friend” sounds great, but it doesn’t apply to every dog. While many are friendly, some are not. These dogs have attacked people, seriously injuring or even killing them.

Florida lawmakers are proposing a bill that would require owners of dangerous dogs to have at least $100,000 in liability coverage for bodily injury in the event that the dog attacks someone and causes physical harm.

While the law makes sense, keep in mind that a similar bill was introduced in 2023 but failed to pass. The 2023 proposal was initiated after an investigation cleared a dog owner whose dog escaped a secured fence and killed a mail carrier in 2022.

Under the current proposed legislation, owners of dangerous dogs would need to provide proof of liability coverage to local animal control. Dangerous dogs are defined by behavior, not breed. Dogs that have bitten, attacked, or inflicted severe injury on a human would be considered dangerous. Dogs that have severely injured or killed another domestic animal while on another person’s property would also be classified as dangerous.

The legislation also proposes a statewide dangerous dog registry. This public database would include information about the dogs declared dangerous, such as the animal’s name, appearance, location, vaccination records, and any permanent identification such as a microchip.

In addition, if the bill is passed, owners of dangerous dogs would be required to securely confine their pets and notify animal control if they sell or give the dog away. Fines for code violations would increase from $500 to $1,000.

This proposed legalization would help protect Florida residents as well as make dog owners liable when their animals injure other people or animals. Businesses are starting to face scrutiny for allowing animals in stores. Customers and employees have been bitten by dangerous dogs, and hopefully this law will pass and force dog owners to rethink their decisions.

More than 600 Florida residents are hospitalized due to dog bite injuries every year, with two deaths on average. Roughly 86% of dog attacks involve children under the age of 6. Children under 10 years old are more likely to be bitten on the neck or head than other age groups.

Contact Us Today

Dog attacks can cause serious harm to strangers and even family members who are familiar with the dog. Laws like this can serve as a wake-up call to dog owners and force them to train their dogs better and keep them locked up.

A Bradenton dog bite lawyer from Cahall Law Firm can answer your questions and help you move on after a dog attack. We help dog bite victims recover the full amount of compensation that is available and reflects the serious nature of their damages. Call (941) 281-2019 or fill out the online form to schedule a consultation.

Source:

insurancebusinessmag.com/us/news/legal-insights/floridas-lawmakers-propose-new-liability-coverage-bill-525114.aspx