In a legislative push spurred by the tragic 2022 death of a Florida mail carrier, state lawmakers are considering a new bill aimed at curbing dog attacks and improving victim compensation. The “Dangerous Dogs Bill” (HB 593) cleared the House State Affairs Committee and passed unanimously in the Florida Senate on Monday. It will now return to the House for a final vote.

If passed, the legislation would require owners of dogs deemed dangerous to maintain $100,000 in liability insurance and have their pets implanted with microchips. An identical Senate version (SB 572) is pending a vote in the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee.

“It’s not about punishing dog owners or the dog—it’s about protecting the public.”

Rachael Gilmer, attorney, Levin Papantonio

The bill stems from the fatal mauling of 61-year-old Pamela Rock, who was attacked by five dogs after her vehicle broke down in a rural area of Putnam County. The incident sparked outrage and a renewed focus on strengthening dog ownership regulations in Florida.

Under the proposed law, a dog would be classified as “dangerous” if it has “aggressively bitten, attacked, or inflicted severe injury on a human being” and “requires owners to securely confine them in a proper enclosure.”  The proposed law would require mandatory insurance and microchipping. The bill also stipulates that removing a microchip from a dangerous dog would be classified as a third-degree felony.

“It’s a step toward protecting the public,” said the bill’s sponsors, adding, “We can do better. And we will.”

To better understand the real-world implications of this bill, we spoke with Levin Papantonio attorney Rachael Gilmer, who regularly handles dog bite cases across Florida. While Gilmer wasn’t intimately familiar with the intricacies of the legislation, she had strong reactions to the bill’s intent.

“I think that’s a huge step in the right direction,” Gilmer said. “The people who don’t have coverage for dog bites 99% of the time are people who own dogs that have a higher propensity to bite and attack people.”

Gilmer pointed out that in her experience, cases involving serious injuries often become legally and financially difficult when the dog owner lacks insurance. Certain breeds, such as pit bulls, are often uninsurable under standard homeowners policies, leaving victims without recourse.

“We get calls like that all the time,” she said. “And there’s nothing we can do because there’s no coverage.”

When asked whether legislation like HB 593 could change the way attorneys approach dog bite cases, Gilmer expressed confidence in its potential impact.

“It would certainly make it easier for victims to recover damages,” she explained. “Most of the cases we get calls about are people who are out walking their own dog when they get attacked. It’s often an out-of-the-blue attack by another dog.”

Gilmer further emphasized the importance of personal responsibility.

“If you’re going to make the choice to have any type of dog, you have to take the appropriate steps to make sure you’re protected, your dog’s protected, and any injuries caused by your dog are covered,” she said. “It’s no different than buying a car. We’re required to have car insurance because cars can injure people. Same with dogs.”

Local Dog Bite Case Offers Example of a “Dangerous Dog” Situation

To underscore how devastating and complex dog bite cases can be, Gilmer shared a recent case she is currently handling. Her clients, a couple in their 60s, were visiting friends’ new home when they were attacked by a Dalmatian that was on a leash—inside the house.

“Within the first two or three minutes, the Dalmatian jumped up and bit the woman in the face,” Gilmer said. “It took off a whole chunk of her nose that the dog ended up spitting out on the floor.”

According to Gilmer, the dog had a known history of aggressive behavior, particularly toward unfamiliar people. While the owners kept it leashed inside the house, the dog still managed to overpower the woman holding the leash.

“They knew the dog had a propensity,” Gilmer said. “Why didn’t they put it in a separate room or kennel while having guests over? That’s our argument.”

Her client has since undergone at least four reconstructive surgeries in an attempt to restore airflow and repair the extensive facial damage. Gilmer noted the couple was fortunate in one regard: the homeowners have an umbrella insurance policy that provides coverage for the attack.

“I won’t take a dog bite case unless there are serious injuries—and even then, half the time there’s no coverage and I have to ultimately decline the claim,” she said.

This case highlights a key point of the proposed bill: insurance can make all the difference in holding negligent dog owners accountable and ensuring victims receive compensation.

Another element of the legislation involves microchipping. The goal is not only to track dangerous dogs but also to prevent owners from avoiding responsibility by removing identification.

How Does Florida Currently Handle Dog Bites?

When asked whether Florida requires euthanasia after a first bite, Gilmer explained that the state follows a more lenient “one free bite” rule.

“Florida doesn’t make you immediately put a dog down after one incident,” she said. “But if your dog attacks a second time, it greatly heightens your liability because at that point, you knew. That’s what we’re arguing in this case.”

She noted that animal control typically investigates when a bite results in a hospital visit, and depending on the severity, authorities may seize and euthanize the dog. However, it’s not an automatic requirement.

“Whether it is the first bite or the third, the requirement to euthanize is very fact-specific,” she added.

Despite the devastating consequences of many dog attacks, legal recovery remains elusive without clear evidence of negligence and available insurance coverage. That’s why Gilmer believes the proposed legislation could be a “game-changer.”

“If this bill passes, it might finally give victims a chance to recover and send a message that dog owners must take responsibility,” Gilmer said. “It is never our goal to force a dog to be put down, but if you know you have a dog with a propensity to bite or attack, then certain safeguards have to be taken. It’s not about punishing dog owners or the dog—it’s about protecting the public.”

Tips for Handling Dangerous Dogs

Gilmer offered the following tips that could help protect people from a dangerous dog attack while walking their dogs:

• Carry a stick if you regularly walk in an area where you have a fear of other dogs that are on the loose. Walk with some type of walking stick or something you could use to kind of fend off an attack rather than using your own hand and arms.
• Always be just on the alert, especially if you are out with another animal (that’s often what provokes some of these dogs that are more likely to attack).
• Be very aware of your surroundings. If you see another dog that’s not on a leash crossing to the other side of the road, try to avoid walking right by that dog, if possible.
• Be proactive. If you live near a dog that concerns you, try speaking to the homeowner or the dog owner about the concerns before something happens.
• If you’re ever attacked by a dog, consider reaching out to an attorney to see if you might be able to receive compensation for your injuries.