JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — New restrictions and necessities for house owners of harmful dogs in Florida could possibly be coming quickly if a invoice filed by an area state lawmaker crosses the end line.
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The laws comes as a response to a devastating canine attack in Putnam County final 12 months.
The dogs had attacked folks a number of instances previously and the proprietor had unsuccessfully tried to give up them to animal management a number of instances.
Pamela Rock, a 61-year-old postal employee was attacked and killed by a pack of 5 dogs whereas delivering mail in Putnam County in August of final 12 months.
No expenses have been filed after the attack and the proprietor was not held liable.
“What we found is that at the federal level and at the state level there was no true culpability as to the animal owner,” mentioned State Representative Bobby Payne (R-Palatka).
Payne set to work on a invoice after listening to concerning the case and talking with the sufferer’s household.
“This is an example where someone died and we need to do much more than just say it was a one-time event or it was an event where we didn’t take the right actions,” mentioned Payne.
The newly filed laws would require dogs to be confiscated throughout harmful canine investigations.
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If they’re decided to be harmful, house owners must maintain their dogs securely confined behind a locked fence whereas outside or inside their houses.
They’d additionally must get hold of $100,000 of legal responsibility insurance coverage to cowl damages if their canine assaults somebody.
Additionally, the invoice would require the creation of a harmful canine registry, so members of the general public might search and establish the place harmful dogs live of their space.
Payne argued even when only one portion of the invoice crosses the end line, it’ll assist stop a tragedy just like the one final summer season from taking place once more.
“And I just want to make sure that we’re doing the right things, trying to do more and not go too far. It’s not about all animals. It’s not about all dogs. It’s about dogs that are dangerous,” mentioned Payne.
A Senate companion invoice has not been crammed but, however Payne indicated one is coming.
The legislative session formally kicks off on January ninth.
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