HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES STAFF ANALYSIS
BILL #: CS/HB 873 Dangerous Dogs
SPONSOR(S): Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special Districts Subcommittee, Payne and others
TIED BILLS: IDEN./SIM. BILLS: SB 1156
REFERENCE ACTION ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR or
BUDGET/POLICY CHIEF
1) Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special 14 Y, 0 N, As CS Burgess Darden
Districts Subcommittee
2) Agriculture & Natural Resources Appropriations 15 Y, 0 N Byrd Pigott
Subcommittee
3) Judiciary Committee
SUMMARY ANALYSIS
Local governments may adopt ordinances to address safety and welfare concerns stemming from dog attacks
on people or domestic animals, placing restrictions and additional requirements on owners of dangerous dogs,
provided that no regulations may be specific to breed, weight, or size.
An animal control officer is typically the person who investigates an incident involving a dog. In areas unserved
by an animal control authority, the sheriff assumes the duties required of an animal control officer.
Upon receiving a report of a potentially dangerous dog, the animal control authority must investigate the
incident, interview the owner, and require a sworn affidavit from any person who seeks to have a dog classified
as dangerous. An animal that is the subject of a dangerous dog investigation because of a severe injury to a
human being may be immediately confiscated by an animal control authority, may be placed in quarantine, or
impounded and held. A dog being investigated as a dangerous dog that is not impounded with the animal
control authority must be humanely and safely confined by the owner pending the outcome of the investigation.
After investigating, the animal control authority must initially determine whether sufficient cause exists to
classify the dog as dangerous, and if sufficient cause is found, provide the owner with an opportunity for a
hearing before making a final determination regarding the classification or penalty. The owner has seven
calendar days from receiving the notice to file a written request for a hearing. Within 14 days after the
classification of the dog as dangerous by the animal control authority, the owner must register the dog with the
animal control authority and renew the certification annually.
The bill creates the “Pam Rock Act,” revising provisions relating to dangerous dogs by requiring:
A dog owner who has knowledge of a dog’s dangerous propensities to securely confine the dog in a
proper enclosure as if the dog had been determined to be dangerous;
Dogs to be held during the course of a dangerous dog investigation in certain instances;
Dogs that have been declared dangerous to be spayed or neutered;
The owner of a dangerous dog to obtain liability insurance.
The bill requires the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to create a statewide Dangerous Dog
Registry and requires animal control authorities to provide specified information for inclusion in the database.
The bill increases the maximum fine for violations of the dangerous dog statute to $1,000.
The bill may have an indeterminate negative fiscal impact on state and local government.
FULL ANALYSIS
This docum ent does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill sponsor or House of Representatives .
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I. SUBSTANTIVE ANALYSIS
A. EFFECT OF PROPOSED CHANGES:
Present Situation
Local governments may adopt ordinances to address safety and welfare concerns stemming from dog
attacks on people or domestic animals, placing restrictions and additional requirements on owners of
dangerous dogs, provided that no regulations may be specific to breed, weight, or size.1
Current law defines a dangerous dog as any dog that, according to the records of the appropriate
authority:
Has aggressively bitten, attacked, endangered or inflicted severe injury2 on a human being on
public or private property;
Has more than once severely injured or killed a domestic animal while off the owner’s property;
or
Has, when unprovoked,3 chased or approached a person upon the streets, sidewalks, or any
public grounds in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack, provided such actions are
attested to in a sworn statement by one or more persons and dutifully investigated by the
appropriate authority.4
Incidents involving a potentially dangerous dog are investigated by animal control officers.5 In areas
unserved by an animal control authority, the sheriff assumes the duties required of an animal control
officer.6
Upon receiving a report of a potentially dangerous dog, the animal control authority must investigate the
incident, interview the owner, and require a sworn affidavit from any person who seeks to have a dog
classified as dangerous.7 An animal that is the subject of a dangerous dog investigation because of
severe injury to a human being may be immediately confiscated by an animal control authority, placed
in quarantine, if necessary, for the proper length of time, or impounded and held. 8 The owner of the dog
is responsible for all boarding costs and other fees required to humanely and safely keep the animal
pending any appeal or hearing. A dog being investigated as a dangerous dog that is not impounded
with the animal control authority must be humanely and safely confined by the owner in a securely
fenced or enclosed area pending the outcome of the investigation. 9 The owner must provide the
address at which the animal resides to the animal control authority and may not relocate or transfer
ownership of the animal pending the outcome of the investigation, including any hearing or appeals.
The animal control authority may not declare a dog as dangerous if:
The injured person was unlawfully on the property or, if lawfully on the property, was tormenting,
abusing, or assaulting the dog, or its owner or a family member; or
The dog was protecting a person within the immediate vicinity of the dog from an unjustified
attack or assault.10
1 S. 767.14, F.S.
2 “Severe injury” is defined as any physical injury resulting in broken bones, multiple bites, or disfiguring lacerations requi ring sutures or
reconstructive surgery. S. 767.11(3), F.S.
3 “Unprovoked” is defined as a victim who conducted himself or herself peacefully and lawfully was bitten or chased in a menacing
fashion or attacked by a dog. S. 767.11(2), F.S.
4 S. 767.11(1), F.S.
5 “Animal control officer” means any individual employed, contracted with, or appointed by the animal control authority for the purpose
of aiding in the enforcement of this act or any other law or ordinance relating to the licensure of animals, control of a nimals, or seizure
and impoundment of animals and includes any state or local law enforcement officer or other employee whose duties in whole or in part
include assignments that involve seizure and impoundment of any animal. See s. 767.11(6), F.S.
6 S. 767.11(5), F.S.
7 S. 767.12(1), F.S.
8 S. 767.12(1)(a), F.S.
9 S. 767.12(1)(b), F.S.
10 S. 767.12(2)(a)-(b), F.S.
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After investigating, the animal control authority must initially determine whether sufficient cause exists
to classify the dog as dangerous, and if sufficient cause is found, provide the owner with an opportunity
for a hearing before making a final determination regarding the classification or penalty. 11 The animal
control authority must provide written notice of sufficient cause and proposed penalty to the owner by
registered mail, certified hand delivery, or service in conformity with how service of process is made.
The owner has seven calendar days from receiving the notice to file a written request for a hearing. If
the owner requests a hearing, the hearing officer must hold the hearing as soon as possible, but no
later than 21 calendar days and no sooner than five days after receiving the request for a hearing.12 If a
hearing is not timely requested, the authority’s determination becomes final.
If a dog is classified as a dangerous dog due to an incident that causes severe injury to a human being,
based upon the nature and circumstances of the injury and the likelihood of a future threat to public
safety, health, and welfare, the dog may be destroyed in an expeditious and humane manner.13
Otherwise, within 14 days after the classification of the dog as a dangerous dog by the animal control
authority, the owner must register the dog with the animal control authority and renew the certification
annually.14 An animal control authority may only issue a certificate or renewal to a person 18 years of
age or older who provides sufficient evidence of:
A current certificate of rabies vaccination;
A proper enclosure to confine a dangerous dog and the posting of the premises with a clearly
visible warning sign at all entry points that informs both children and adults of the presence of a
dangerous dog on the property; and
Permanent identification of the dog, such as a tattoo on the inside thigh or electronic
implantation.15
The owner must immediately notify the animal control authority if the dog:
Is loose or unconfined;
Bites a person or attacks another animal
Is sold, given away, or dies; or
Is moved to another address.16
If a dangerous dog is sold or given away, the owner must provide the name, address, and telephone
number of the new owner to the animal control authority.17 The new owner must abide by these
requirements. If the dog is moved to another jurisdiction, the owner is responsible for informing the local
animal control officer.
A dangerous dog must remain in its enclosure at all times unless it is muzzled and restrained by a
chain or leash.18
Any violation of these requirements is a noncriminal infraction punishable by a fine not to exceed
$500.19
In addition to civil penalties, the owner of a dog can be charged with the following criminal violations:
First degree misdemeanor, if the dog has previously been declared dangerous and attacks or
bites a person or domestic animal without provocation. 20
Second degree misdemeanor, if the dog has not previously been declared dangerous but
causes severe injury to or death of any human and the owner had prior knowledge of, but
recklessly disregarded, the dog’s dangerous propensities. 21
11 S. 767.12(3), F.S.
12 S. 767.12(3), F.S.
13 S. 767.12(5)(b), F.S.
14 S. 767.12(5)(a)1., F.S.
15 Id.
16 S. 767.12(5)(a)2., F.S.
17 S. 767.12(5)(a), F.S.
18 S. 767.12(5)(a)3., F.S.
19 S. 767.12 (7), F.S.
20 S. 767.13(1), F.S.
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Third degree felony, if the dog has previously been declared dangerous, attacks and causes
severe injury to or death of any human.22
According to the Florida Department of Health, each year more than 600 Floridians are hospitalized
because of injuries from dog bites, and about two people die from them. In August 2022, a postal
worker was delivering mail when she was attacked by five dogs in Putnam County and died the next
day.23 An 86-year-old veteran had to have her leg amputated after being attacked by a neighbor’s dog
in early 2023 in Hawthorne.24
Effect of Proposed Changes
Statewide Dangerous Dog Registry
The bill requires the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (DACS) to create and maintain
a statewide Dangerous Dog Registry that provides the public with an online database of dogs declared
dangerous by local authorities. The bill requires each animal control authority to report the following
information concerning dangerous dogs within its jurisdiction to be listed in the registry:
A current certificate of rabies vaccination for the dog;
Evidence of a proper enclosure where the dog will be confined and the posting of a warning
sign at all entry points that informs children and adults a dangerous dog is present on the
property;
Evidence of permanent identification of the dog, such as a tattoo on the inside thigh or an
implantation of a microchip;
Evidence of the dog having been spayed or neutered;
Evidence that the owner has obtained the required liability insurance;
The dog's name and a photograph of the dog;
The county in which the dog is located;
The owner's name and address.
The bill authorizes DACS to adopt rules to administer the statewide Dangerous Dog Registry.
Dangerous Dogs
The bill revises the definition of “proper enclosure” to include a locked, fenced yard suitable to prevent
the entry of young children and designed to prevent the dog from escaping over, under, or through the
fence. The bill provides that if a dog owner has knowledge of the dog’s dangerous propensities, the
owner must securely confine the dog in a proper enclosure as if the dog had been determined to be
dangerous.
The bill requires dogs subject to a dangerous dog investigation for acts toward a person to be
confiscated by the animal control authority, placed in quarantine as necessary, impounded, and held.
The dog must be held until the conclusion of the investigation, including any hearings or appeals. The
bill provides that the owner is responsible for all boarding costs and other fees required to humanely
and safely keep the animal pending any investigation or appeal, unless it is determined the dog is not
dangerous.
During a dangerous dog investigation arising from the severe injury or killing of a domestic animal while
off the owner’s property, the dog may be immediately confiscated by an animal control authority, placed
21 S. 767.136(1), F.S.
22 S. 767.13(2), F.S.
23 Senait Gebregiorgis, Florida b ill aims to make ‘dangerous dogs’ registry, add tougher penalties for owners , KTVZ News Channel 21,
(Jan. 5, 2024), https://ktvz.com/cnn-regional/2024/01/05/florida-bill-aims-to-make-dangerous-dogs-registry-add-tougher-penalties-for-
owners/ (last visited Jan. 17, 2024).
24 Anne Maxwell, State senator’s office drafting legislation to address dangerous dogs after attacks, News4Jax, (July 18, 2023),
https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2023/07/18/state-senators-office-drafting-legislation-to-address-dangerous-dogs-after-attacks/
(last visited Jan. 17, 2024).
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in quarantine, impounded, and held. If the dog is not impounded, the owner must keep the dog within a
proper enclosure pending the outcome of the investigation.
Once a dog is classified as dangerous, the animal control authority must provide DACS with the
information for the dangerous dog’s inclusion in the statewide Dangerous Dog Registry.
The bill removes the requirement that animal control authorities consider the nature and circumstances
of the injury and the likelihood of a future threat to public safety, health, and welfare before humanely
and expeditiously destroying a dog classified as dangerous due to an incident that caused severe injury
to a human.
The bill requires the owner to obtain a registration certificate for a dog declared dangerous upon the
issuance of the final order and requires:
The dog to be spayed or neutered;
The owner must obtain liability insurance coverage of at least $100,000 to cover damages
resulting from an attack by the dangerous dog causing bodily injury to a person; and
Provide proof of insurance to the animal control authority.
The bill increases the maximum fine for violations of provisions relating to dangerous dogs to $1,000.
The bill provides that the owner of a dog commits a second-degree misdemeanor if a dog that has not
previously been declared dangerous causes severe injury to or death of any human, the owner had
prior knowledge of the dog’s dangerous propensities, and the owner failed to secure a dog in a proper
enclosure.
B. SECTION DIRECTORY:
Section 1: Provides the bill may be cited as the “Pam Rock Act.”
Section 2: Amends s. 767.01, F.S., concerning the dog owner’s liability for damages to persons,
domestic animals, or livestock.
Section 3: Amends s. 767.10, F.S., concerning legislative findings relating to dangerous dogs.
Section 4: Amends s. 767.11, F.S., defining and revising definitions.
Section 5: Amends s. 767.12, F.S., revising stipulations regarding dangerous dogs.
Section 6: Creates s. 767.125, F.S., relating to a statewide Dangerous Dog Registry.
Section 7: Amends s. 763.13, F.S., to make conforming and technical changes.
Section 8: Amends s. 763.135, F.S., to make conforming and technical changes.