ICYMI: 2 New Florida Laws Are For The Dogs

TALLAHASSEE, FL — Dog lovers across the state of Florida may have reason to celebrate following Gov. Rick Scott’s bill signing session Tuesday.

Scott signed into law two bills designed to protect pets and people, along with 13 other pieces of legislation that cleared both the House and Senate this year. One law protects animals – and people – who are left unattended locked vehicles. The second provides a way for dog owners to plead their cases when a critter causes severe injuries to people.

The Unattended Persons and Animals in Motor Vehicles law went into effect Tuesday after the governor inked the measure. It provides immunity from civil liability for people who damage a motor vehicle in order to rescue a person or animal trapped inside. Prompted by the growing number of injuries and death related to children and pets being left in vehicles, the law protects those who take action to help. It does, however, require people to make an attempt to find the vehicle’s owner and make certain there is no other way into a vehicle before breaking out a window or forcing a door. Good Samaritans must also contact law enforcement before or immediately after making entry.

The second new law relates to severe injuries caused by dogs. It also went into effect with the governor’s signature on Tuesday. It provides for “discretionary, rather than mandatory, quarantine or impoundment of dogs that cause severe injuries to humans.” It also defines circumstances under which a dog can be declared dangerous, providing exemptions for dogs who bite people who are on a property illegally or those who are on a property legally but are found to be “tormenting, abusing or assaulting the dog or its owner or a family member.”

Under previous Florida laws, dogs responsible for severe injuries to humans were subject to euthanasia regardless of the circumstances that prompted an attack.

A case involving a black lab mix in Bradenton last year prompted the new law’s creation. In that instance, the lab, named Padi, bit off part of a child’s ear. The dog’s owner and witnesses said the dog was cornered prior to the attack. A judge ultimately returned Padi to the care of his owner.

In addition to the two dog-related bills, Scott also signed 13 other bills into law. Those bills relate to such issues as public records, voter registration, electronic monitoring devices and tax exemptions for deployed service members, among others.

To see the full list, visit the governor’s office online.

Patch file photo