New FL law targets dangerous dogs owners with insurance requirements

Dog owners are now required to carry liability insurance under a new Florida bill designed to crackdown on dangerous dog attacks that could cause severe injuries and death.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law House Bill 593 and Senate Bill 572, which was approved during the regular Legislative Session.

The law goes into effect July 1, 2025.

According to the bill, the owners of "dangerous dogs" must carry a minimum $100,000 liability insurance, and the animals could be taken into custody by animal control if they cause injuries or deaths.

In addition, dogs would have to be microchipped for identification purposes and dogs must be securely confined and sterilized.

Intentional removal of a dog's microchip would be classified as a felony under the proposed law, and owners could face increased penalties, including fines of up to $1,000.

The bill's text does not mention any specific dog breeds. Instead, it defines a dangerous dog as one that has:

- "Aggressively bitten, attacked, or inflicted severe injury on a human being"

- Has chased or approached a person in a menacing fashion in a public area (if sworn to and investigated).

The Pam Rock Act was inspired by the tragedy of Pamela Jane Rock.

In 2020, the 61-year-old Florida postal worker was killed when she was mauled by a pack of dogs after her vehicle broke down.

The dogs allegedly escaped from a fenced yard and attacked Rock while she awaited assistance.

No charges were ever filed against the dogs' owners.