Tallahassee (KHN) – A lawmaker in Florida is introducing a new bill that would make the state’s rules about dangerous dogs stricter.
An 8-year-old boy was killed by a dog last month in Volusia County. This new push comes after that.
The plan was put forward by Republican state senator Tom Wright, who is from Volusia County.
There would be a national list of all the dogs that are thought to be dangerous, and dog owners would be more responsible for any attacks.
People who own dogs would have to keep them in a fenced-in yard so they can’t get out under the bill. This includes people who have dangerous dogs.
Eight-year-old Michael Millett was killed last month when two dogs attacked him while he was riding his bike in his Volusia County neighborhood. The dogs were put down.
Based on the first probe, detectives say the dog owners were not cooperative.
Mike Chitwood, the sheriff of Volusia County, said he agrees with the new plan and thinks harsher punishments are needed.
“I think you need to sit there and talk to Michael’s mom and really let the legislators understand this law needs to be changed,” Chitwood said. “These [owners] when this happens, they need to be held accountable. I am hopeful that the state senators and some of our representatives will take the time to meet with the family.”
Over the years, there have been several reports of dog attacks in the area where News4JAX is shown. In August 2022, a mail worker was attacked by a dog in Putnam County.
61-year-old Pamela Rock was killed by five dogs that got out of a fenced yard when her mail truck broke down on a dirt road.
The dogs were put down.
The owner wasn’t charged with a crime, and an investigation showed that the owner tried to give up the dogs twice, including 10 days before Rock was killed.
There is currently a rule that says “the owner shall be liable.” Senate Bill 572 would change that to “the owner is liable” after a dog attack.
Wright says that would make it possible to hold more people responsible.
There would also have to be at least $100,000 in risk insurance for any dog owner who is being investigated for having a dangerous dog.
Reference: Florida lawmaker proposes new bill to stiffen state’s laws on dangerous dogs