Florida residents who own dogs with histories of multiple attacks may be required to buy liability insurance if a new bill is signed into law. Florida State Rep. Bobby Payne, R-Palatka, introduced HB 873, which passed 14-0 in the Local Administration, Federal Affairs & Special Districts Subcommittee.

A “dangerous dog” is defined as dog that has either aggressively bitten, attacked, endangered or has inflicted severe injury on a human being, has more than once severely injured or killed a domestic animal while off the owner’s property, or 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.”

The bill requires owners of such dogs to obtain liability insurance coverage of at least $100,000 to cover damages and injuries resulting from an attack.

The bill’s summary text reads:”Dangerous Dogs; Requires dog owners to securely confine their dogs in proper enclosure; requires dogs subject to dangerous dog investigations be confiscated & held until completion of certain actions; requires animal control to provide information to DACS & destroy certain dogs; requires owner of dangerous dog to obtain liability insurance; revises civil penalty for violations; requires DACS to create statewide Dangerous Dog Registry; revises when owner of dog that has not been declared dangerous is liable for such dog’s severe injury to, or death of, human.