Dangerous Dogs Bill Now in Effect in Florida

The U.S. Postal Service sees its share of dog attacks. In 2024, mail carriers across the United States were involved in more than 6,000 dog-related incidents. Many of these dog bites occurred in Florida. The top cities were:

• Miami: 17
• Petersburg: 15
• Jacksonville: 10
• Tampa: 9
• Pensacola: 8
• Orlando: 7
• Hialeah: 6
• Clearwater: 5
• Brooksville: 4
• Pompano Beach: 4
• Pembroke Pines: 4
• New Port Richey: 4
• Middleburg: 4
• Lehigh Acres: 4

Florida ranked eighth among all states for dog bites involving mail carriers, making safety a concern across the state. One tragic incident happened in 2022. That was when Pam Rock, a postal worker, was mauled to death by five dogs after her mail truck broke down in Putnam County. The dogs had a history of aggression.

The tragedy drew national attention and Rock’s family used this to push lawmakers to do more to protect postal workers. Their advocacy helped push the “dangerous dogs bill,” officially known as the “Pam Rock Act.”

What is the Pam Rock Act?

On May 21, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Pam Rock Act into law. The Pam Rock Act was introduced in response to an increase in serious dog attacks and aims to protect the public while also safeguarding responsible pet owners from unjust consequences.

The law, which took effect on July 1, strengthens protections against dangerous dogs by requiring — rather than merely allowing — immediate confiscation and possible quarantine of dogs under investigation for severely injuring or killing a person.

The law mandates that owners of such dogs must provide specific information to animal control authorities. Animal shelters, humane societies, and animal control agencies must also disclose key details to potential adopters of dogs with a dangerous history.

Key provisions include:

• Clear definitions of what constitutes a “dangerous dog.”
• A system for tracking and investigating incidents.
• A process for immediate removal of dangerous dogs when warranted.
• Revised civil penalties and new criminal penalties for those who obstruct animal control efforts.

Under the law, owners of dogs officially designated as dangerous must:

• Keep the dog in a secure enclosure.
• Post warning signs.
• Register the dog with their county.
• Carry at least $100,000 in liability insurance.

Violators face fines of up to $1,000 per offense, and obstructing an animal control officer can lead to additional fines and up to one year in jail.

Contact Us Today

Dog attacks can be serious or even fatal. Many people have died from attacks by dangerous dogs. This risk needs to be reduced and this law can help.

A Bradenton dog bite lawyer from Cahall Law Firm can help you recover much-needed compensation after a dog bite and hold dog owners accountable for the actions of their dogs. We can help you file a civil lawsuit to ensure adequate compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages. Call (941) 281-2019 or fill out the online form to schedule a consultation today.

Source:

jacksonville.com/story/news/local/2025/06/06/dog-bite-attacks-postal-workers-rising/84048233007/