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 unprovoked attacks which cause injury to persons and domestic animals; that
such attacks are in part attributable to the failure of owners to confine and
properly train and control their dogs; that existing laws inadequately address
this growing problem; and that it is appropriate and necessary to impose uniform
requirements for the owners of dangerous dogs. History: s. 1, ch. 90-180. 767.11
Definitions. ---

As used in this act, unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
(1) "Dangerous dog" means any dog that according to the records of the
appropriate authority:
 

(a) Has aggressively bitten, attacked, or endangered or has inflicted
severe injury on a human being on public or private property;
(b) Has more than once severely injured or killed a domestic animal while
off the owner's property;
(c) Has been used primarily or in part for the purpose of dog fighting or
is a dog trained for dog fighting;
or
(d) Has, when unprovoked, chased or approached a person upon the streets,
sidewalks, or any public grounds in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of
attack, provided that such actions are attested to in a sworn statement by one
or more persons and dutifully investigated by the appropriate authority.

(3) "Severe injury" means any physical injury that results in broken bones,
multiple bites, or disfiguring lacerations requiring sutures or reconstructive
surgery.

(4) "Proper enclosure of a dangerous dog" means, while on the owner's property,
a dangerous dog is securely confined indoors or in a securely enclosed and
locked pen or structure, suitable to prevent the entry of young children and
designed to prevent the animal from escaping. Such pen or structure shall have
secure sides and a secure top to prevent the dog from escaping over, under, or
through the structure and shall also provide protection from the elements.

(5) "Animal control authority" means an entity acting alone or in concert with
other local governmental units and authorized by them to enforce the animal
control laws of the city, county, or state. In those areas not served by an
animal control authority, the sheriff shall carry out the duties of the animal
control authority under this act.

(6) "Animal control officer" means any individual employed, contracted with, or
appointed by the animal control authority for the purpose of aiding in the
enforcement of this act or any other law or ordinance relating to the licensure
of animals, control of animals, or seizure and impoundment of animals and
includes any state or local law enforcement officer or other employee whose
duties in whole or in part include assignments that involve the seizure and
impoundment of any animal.

(7) "Owner" means any person, firm, corporation, or 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, that person's parent or guardian.

History: s. 2, ch. 90-180; s. 2, ch. 93-13.

767.14 Additional local restrictions authorized. ---

Nothing in this act shall limit any local government from placing further
restrictions or additional requirements on owners of dangerous dogs or
developing procedures and criteria for the implementation of this act, provided
that no such regulation is specific to breed and that the provisions of this act
are not lessened by such additional regulations or requirements. This section
shall not apply to any local ordinance adopted prior to October 1, 1990.

History: s. 5, ch. 90-180.

767.15 Other provisions of chapter 767 not superseded. --- Nothing in this act
shall supersede chapter 767, Florida Statutes 1989. History: s. 6, ch. 90-180.
 
 

Return to Wolfdog issues - Florida

Return to Wolfdog issues by State

Return to Main Page