SB 1156 — Dangerous Dogs

Florida Senate - 2024 CS for SB 1156 By Senatorthe CollinsCommittee 14-00474-24on 20241156__Agriculture; A bill to be entitled An act relating to dangerous dogs;

and Senator Collins 575-02408-24 20241156c1 A bill to be entitled An act relating to dangerous dogs;

providing a short title;

deleting an exemption for certain hunting dogs;

requiring the department to adopt rules;

amending ss.

Florida Senate - 2024 CS for SB 1156 14-00474-24575-02408-24 20241156__20241156c1 requiring767.13 theand department767.135, toF.S.; adopt rules;

amending ss.

767.13 and 767.135, F.S.;

amending s.

767.16, F.S.;

providing that police canines are only exempt from certain provisions while on duty;

This act may be cited as the “Pam Rock Act.” Section 2.

Section 2.3.

767.10 Legislative findings.—The Legislature finds that dangerous dogs are an increasingly serious and widespread threat to the safety and welfare of the people of this state because of Pageunprovoked 2attacks ofwhich 14cause CODING:injury to persons and domestic animals;

that such attacks are in part attributable to the Page 2 of 14 CODING:

Florida Senate - 2024 CS for SB 1156 14-00474-24575-02408-24 20241156__20241156c1 unprovokedfailure attacksof whichowners causeto injuryconfine toand personsproperly train and domesticcontrol animals;their dogs;

that such attacks are in part attributable to the failure of owners to confine and properly train and control their dogs;

Section 3.4.

(7)(3) “Severe injury” means any physical injury that results in broken bones, multiple bites, or disfiguring Pagelacerations 3requiring ofsutures 14or CODING:reconstructive surgery.

(6)(4) “Proper enclosure of a dangerous dog” means, while Page 3 of 14 CODING:

Florida Senate - 2024 CS for SB 1156 14-00474-24575-02408-24 20241156__20241156c1 lacerationson requiringthe suturesowner’s orproperty, reconstructivea surgery.dangerous dog is securely confined:

(6)(4) “Proper enclosure of a dangerous dog” means, while on the owner’s property, a dangerous dog is securely confined:

(5)(7) “Owner” means a any person, a firm, a corporation, or an organization possessing, harboring, keeping, or having control or custody of an animal or, if the animal is owned by a Page 4 of 14 CODING:

Florida Senate - 2024 CS for SB 1156 14-00474-24575-02408-24 20241156__20241156c1 or an organization possessing, harboring, keeping, or having control or custody of an animal or, if the animal is owned by a person under the age of 18 years of age or younger, that person’s parent or guardian.

Section 4.5.

The owner is responsible for payment of all boarding costs and other fees as may be required to humanely and safely keep the animal pending any hearing or appeal, unless it is determined that the dog is not Pagedangerous. 5 of 14 CODING:

(b) An animal that is the subject of a dangerous dog Page 5 of 14 CODING:

Florida Senate - 2024 CS for SB 1156 14-00474-24575-02408-24 20241156__20241156c1 dangerous.investigation for behavior described in s.

(b) An animal that is the subject of a dangerous dog investigation for behavior described in s.

(3) After the investigation, the animal control authority shall make an initial determination as to whether there is Page 6 of 14 CODING:

Florida Senate - 2024 CS for SB 1156 14-00474-24575-02408-24 20241156__20241156c1 (3) After the investigation, the animal control authority shall make an initial determination as to whether there is sufficient cause to classify the dog as dangerous and, if sufficient cause is found, as to the appropriate penalty under subsection (5).

The owner may appeal the classification or, penalty, or both, to the circuit court in accordance with the Florida Rules of Appellate Page 7 of 14 CODING:

Florida Senate - 2024 CS for SB 1156 14-00474-24575-02408-24 20241156__20241156c1 owner may appeal the classification or, penalty, or both, to the circuit court in accordance with the Florida Rules of Appellate Procedure after receipt of the final order.

Page2.b. 8 of 14 CODING:

A proper enclosure to confine the a dangerous dog and the posting of the premises with a clearly visible warning sign Page 8 of 14 CODING:

Florida Senate - 2024 CS for SB 1156 14-00474-24575-02408-24 20241156__20241156c1 2.b.at all entry points which informs both children and adults of the presence of a dangerous dog on the property.

A proper enclosure to confine the a dangerous dog and the posting of the premises with a clearly visible warning sign at all entry points which informs both children and adults of the presence of a dangerous dog on the property.

(d) Before selling or giving away the a dangerous dog is sold or given away, the owner shall provide the name, address, and telephone number of the new owner to the animal control Pageauthority. 9 of 14 CODING:

The new owner must comply with all of the requirements of this section and any implementing local Page 9 of 14 CODING: