Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a law Wednesday bringing harsher penalties and restrictions for owners of dogs that severely injure or kill people.
The bill, known as the “Pam Rock Act,” honors a mail carrier who was mauled to death by five dogs in Putnam County in 2022. Starting July 1, owners of dogs that have attacked humans, severely injured or killed pets, or menacingly chased people will have to carry liability insurance of at least $100,000.
“This legislation is not just a policy change; it’s a proclamation to every Floridian that their safety matters,” Green Cove Springs Republican Rep. Judson Sapp, who introduced HB 593, said in a press release. “Pamela’s tragic death was a preventable loss, and with this act, we aim to ensure that such a tragedy never happens again.
Additionally, owners of such dogs must present current certificates of rabies vaccinations, have an enclosure with warning signs, microchip, and spay or neuter the dog.
Animal control gains authority to confiscate dogs pending investigations of incidents and humanely euthanize dogs deemed dangerous that are surrendered.
Owners who don’t comply could face fines of up to $1,000 per violation.
If a dog that has already been classified as dangerous severely injures or kills a person, the owner commits a felony of the second degree. However, for dogs that haven’t been officially deemed dangerous, owners would still face first-degree misdemeanors if they showed disregard for their dogs’ behavior.
Rock’s family and the family of Michael Millett, an eight-year-old boy from Volusia County who was killed by a dog in January, attended the bill signing ceremony, according to the press release from Sapp’s office.
–Jackie Llanos, Florida Phoenix
JimboXYZ says
Sometimes this is the only way to force an owner to be financially responsible for an attack, or worse yet, in memorium of the fallen mail carrier, a death, this is a good thing.
Dog Lover says
They should have a minimum of that amount just for owning the dog. Instead, the in-bred dog owner of breeds that have been proven to be dangerous thinks it’s their right to have such a dog without any form of consequence. But then again, pit bulls and rottweilers have a purpose. Just ask any drug dealer.
Sandra Birnhak says
Hundreds protested the law. The first time around it was stopped in Judiciary. A rep finishing his term started it ~ Bobby Payne. However, his relationships with Insurance Lobbyists came up . He disappeared
The bill needs revision ~ an intelligent look at the situation in Florida. We really hammered DeSantis to stop the bill for a professional look. Also people needed to know the truth about what happened in Putnam County ~ 17 Dispatch calls to the Sheriff’s office & AC. The only time they responded was when Pam Rock had been attacked. The problem rests with Florida’s Police Departments and Animal Controls. Putnam is dirt poor ~ claiming no money for anything. Now you want insurance money. We have close to 500 dogs abandoned and living in wooded areas. We used to have a Sheriff who used the AC animals for target practice with is deputies. I was just an outsider from NYC but I knew right from wrong. I called Pam Bondi – the AG. Took care of that . We haven’t come that far have we! The Bill will create chaos. I wonder if General Bondi would take my call today.