JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Florida lawmaker is proposing a new bill that would toughen up the state’s laws on dogs considered to be dangerous.
This latest push comes after an 8-year-old boy was mauled to death last month in Volusia County.
State Sen. Tom Wright, a Republican who represents Volusia County, filed the proposal.
As a part of it, a statewide registry would be created for all dogs that are deemed dangerous and dog owners would be held more accountable for any attacks.
Under the bill, all dog owners, not just those who have dangerous dogs, would have to keep their pets in a fenced yard to keep them from escaping.
Michael Millett, 8, was killed last month after two dogs mauled him while he was riding his bike in his Volusia County neighborhood. The dogs were euthanized.
Detectives say the dogs' owners were not being cooperative during an initial investigation.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood said he supports the new proposal and believes stiffer penalties 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.”
Several dog attacks have been reported in our News4JAX viewing area over the years, including one in Putnam County in August 2022 involving a mail carrier.
Pamela Rock, 61, was killed when she was mauled by five dogs that had escaped a fenced yard after her mail truck broke down on a dirt road.
The dogs were euthanized.
The owner was not criminally charged and an investigation revealed the owner tried to surrender the dogs twice, including 10 days before Rock was killed.
Under Senate Bill 572, the legal wording in current law that says “the owner shall be liable” would be changed to “the owner is liable” after a dog attack.
Wright says that would clear the way for more owners to be held accountable.
The bill would also require any dog owner under investigation for having a dangerous dog to get liability insurance of at least $100,000.