In 2009, pit bulls killed 14 people in the United States. This figure accounted for 44 percent of all dog-involved fatalities for that year. When pit bulls account for only 5 percent of the dog population, this is a frightening statistic. In Florida, there have been many attempts to outlaw the ownership of pit bulls. Laws have gone back and forth between the Florida Legislature and the Supreme Court. Currently, only one county, Dade County, has any law on the books banning pit bulls.
Florida Law 767.04
Since 1949, Florida has held the owner of a dog responsible for any damage done by the animal. This liability is lessened if the victim provoked the dog in any way. This is one of several laws that governs all dog attacks.
Dade County Ordinance 89-22
In 1989, Dade County passed a municipal ordinance banning the ownership of pit bulls. Anyone found with an American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, a Staffordshire Bull Terrier or any mix that shows the physical characteristics of a pit bull will be cited, required to pay a $500 fine and the dog must be removed from the county. Since that time, several other municipalities have attempted to pass similar laws. But the Florida Supreme Court has struck them down. The Dade County law is the only one that has remained on the books.
Florida HB-189 and HB-543
Both Florida House Bills 189 and 543 would have allowed municipalities to pass breed-specific laws. Modeled after Dade County's prohibition, these laws would ban ownership of pit bulls. Many cities and counties worked to ban pit bulls. But HB-189 lost its struggle in 2009, and HB-543 soon met with a similar fate in 2010.
Tags: Dade County, ownership bulls, Bull Terrier, Supreme Court