Florida Legislature Considers Increased Liability for Dangerous Dogs
February 18, 2025
Florida lawmakers are considering a bill that would mandate owners of dogs classified as dangerous to carry at least $100,000 in liability coverage for any bodily injuries their animals may cause, according to a report from AM Best. A similar proposal was introduced in 2023 but did not pass.
The 2023 effort followed an investigation into a dog owner whose pet escaped a secured area and fatally attacked a mail carrier in 2022, the report indicates.
The proposed legislation would require owners of dogs deemed dangerous to provide proof of insurance to their local animal control authorities. Critically, the bill defines a dangerous dog based on its behavior, instead of breed. Dogs that have bitten, attacked, endangered, or severely injured a human would be classified as dangerous. Dogs that have severely injured or killed other domestic animals while away from their owner’s property would also fall under this classification.
Furthermore, the legislation proposes the creation of a statewide dangerous dog registry. This public database would contain information about each dog deemed dangerous, including its location, name, appearance, vaccination records, evidence of a secure enclosure, visible warning signs, and permanent identification methods like a thigh tattoo or microchip. The bill would also mandate that owners of dangerous dogs securely confine their pets and notify animal control agencies if they sell or give away the animal.
In addition, the legislation would increase penalties for code violations, raising existing fines from $500 to $1,000. The Personal Insurance Federation of Florida declined to comment, citing a lack of data regarding dog bite liability under homeowners’ policies. Attempts to obtain comments from the bill’s sponsors were unsuccessful.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control, more than 600 Floridians are hospitalized annually due to dog bite injuries, with an average of two fatalities resulting from these incidents. Data also indicates that the majority of bites, approximately 86%, involve children aged six years old and younger. Children under 10 are more likely to be bitten on the head or neck than any other age group.
