STORAGE NAME: h0593.IAS
DATE: 3/17/2025
1
FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
BILL ANALYSIS
This bill analysis was prepared by nonpartisan committee staff and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.
BILL #: HB 593
TITLE: Dangerous Dogs
SPONSOR(S): Sapp
COMPANION BILL: SB 572 (Collins)
LINKED BILLS: None
RELATED BILLS: None
Committee References
Intergovernmental Affairs
Civil Justice & Claims
Agriculture & Natural
Resources Budget
State Affairs
SUMMARY
Effect of the Bill:
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;
Animal control authorities to hold dogs 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 at least $100,000 of liability insurance.
The bill also 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,
provides that a dog must be destroyed if it is declared dangerous due to an incident that caused severe injury to a
human being, and increases the maximum fine for violations of the dangerous dog statute to $1,000.
Fiscal or Economic Impact:
The agency analysis of this bill by the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services estimates the portions of
the bill requiring the agency to create a statewide database of dangerous dogs will cost approximately $500,000
per year. The bill may have an indeterminate negative fiscal impact on local governments to the extent animal
control authorities are required to hold dogs during the course of an investigation.
JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
ANALYSIS
EFFECT OF THE BILL:
The bill provides that the act may be cited as the “Pam Rock Act.” (Section 1)
The bill revises 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; (Section 2)
Animal control authorities to hold a dog during the course of a dangerous dog investigation if the
investigation arose out of an injury to, or altercation with, a person; (Section 5)
Dogs that have been declared dangerous to be spayed or neutered; and (Section 5)
The owner of a dangerous dog to obtain at least $100,000 of liability insurance. (Section 5)
The bill amends the definition of a proper enclosure to include a locked, fenced yard that is suitable to prevent
young children from entering and designed to prevent the dog from escaping over, under, or through the fence.
(Section 4) JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
2
The bill provides that if a dog has been declared dangerous due to an incident that caused severe injury to a human
being, the dog must be destroyed in an expeditious and humane manner. (Section 5)
The bill increases the maximum fine for violations of the dangerous dog statute to $500 per violation to $1,000.
(Section 5)
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.
(Sections 5 and 6)
The bill makes editorial and conforming changes to current law provisions of statute concerning dangerous dogs.
(Multiple Sections)
The bill provides an effective date of July 1, 2025. (Section 10)
FISCAL OR ECONOMIC IMPACT:
STATE GOVERNMENT:
The agency analysis of this bill by the Department of Agricultural and Consumer Services estimates the portions of
the bill requiring the agency to create a statewide database of dangerous dogs will cost $500,772 ($495,341 in
recurring funds and $5,431 in non-recurring funds) in the 2024-2025 fiscal year and $495,341 recurring
thereafter.
1
LOCAL GOVERNMENT:
The bill may have an indeterminate negative fiscal impact on local governments to the extent animal control
authorities are required to hold dogs during the course of an investigation.
RELEVANT INFORMATION
SUBJECT OVERVIEW:
Dangerous Dogs
Part II of ch. 767, F.S., outlines the state’s “Dangerous Dogs” provisions, originally enacted in 1990.
2 The Legislature
found that “dangerous dogs are an increasingly serious and widespread threat to the safety and welfare of the
people of this state because of unprovoked attacks which cause injury to persons and domestic animals; that such
attacks are in part attributable to the failure of the owners to confine and properly train and control their dogs;
that existing laws inadequately address this growing problem; and that it is appropriate and necessary to impose
uniform requirements on the owners of dangerous dogs.”
3
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.
4
A dangerous dog is defined as a dog who, according to the records of the appropriate authority, has:
Aggressively bitten, attacked, endangered or inflicted severe injury
5 on a human being on public or private
property;
More than once severely injured or killed a domestic animal while off the owner’s property; or
1
Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Agency Analysis of 2025 Senate Bill 572, p. 2 (Mar. 3, 2025) (on file with
the House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee).
2
Ch. 90-180, Laws of Fla.
3
S. 767.10, F.S.
4
S. 767.14, F.S.
5
“Severe injury” is defined as any physical injury resulting in broken bones, multiple bites, or disfiguring lacerations requiring
sutures or reconstructive surgery. S. 767.11(3), F.S. JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
3
When unprovoked,
6 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.
7
Incidents involving a potentially dangerous dog are investigated by animal control officers.
8 In areas unserved by
an animal control authority, the sheriff assumes the duties required of an animal control officer.
9
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.
10 An animal that is the subject of a dangerous dog investigation because of severe injury or death 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.
11 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.
12 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.
13
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.
14 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.
15 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, the animal
control authority may require the dog be destroyed in an expeditious and humane manner based upon the nature
and circumstances of the injury and the likelihood of a future threat to public safety, health, and welfare.
16 If a dog
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“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.
7
S. 767.11(1), F.S.
8
“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 animals, 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.
9
S. 767.11(5), F.S.
10
S. 767.12(1), F.S.
11
Ss. 767.12(1)(a) and 767.135, F.S.
12
S. 767.12(1)(b), F.S.
13
S. 767.12(2)(a)-(b), F.S.
14
S. 767.12(3), F.S.
15
Id.
16
S. 767.12(5)(b), F.S. JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
4
causes the death of a human being, the dog must be destroyed unless the dog is found to not be dangerous after
hearing.
17
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.
18 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.
19
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.
20
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.
21 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.
22
Any violation of these requirements is a noncriminal infraction punishable by a fine not to exceed $500.
23
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.
24
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.
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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.
26
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.
27 An 86-year-old veteran had to have
17
S. 767.135, F.S.
18
S. 767.12(5)(a)1., F.S.
19
Id.
20
S. 767.12(5)(a)2., F.S.
21
S. 767.12(5)(a), F.S.
22
S. 767.12(5)(a)3., F.S.
23
S. 767.12 (7), F.S.
24
S. 767.13(1), F.S.
25
S. 767.136(1), F.S.
26
S. 767.13(2), F.S.
27
Senait Gebregiorgis, Florida bill aims to make ‘dangerous dogs’ registry, add tougher penalties for owners, KTVZ News Channel
21, (Jan. 5, 2024), (last visited Feb. 25, 2025). JUMP TO SUMMARY ANALYSIS RELEVANT INFORMATION BILL HISTORY
5
her leg amputated after being attacked by a neighbor’s dog in early 2023 in Hawthorne.
28 In January 2025, an
eight-year-old boy was attacked and killed by two dogs.
29
BILL HISTORY
COMMITTEE REFERENCE ACTION DATE
STAFF
DIRECTOR/
POLICY CHIEF
ANALYSIS
PREPARED BY
Intergovernmental Affairs
Subcommittee
Darden Burgess
Civil Justice & Claims
Subcommittee
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Budget Subcommittee
State Affairs Committee
28
Anne Maxwell, State senator’s office drafting legislation to address dangerous dogs after attacks, News4Jax, (July 18, 2023),
(last visited Feb. 25, 2025).
29
Brenda Argueta, Dogs That attacked and killed 8-year-old boy near DeLand have been euthanized, Click Orlando News, (Jan.
30, 2025), (last visited Feb. 25, 2025).