Local Government Manatee County Commission to Discuss Dog Bite Attack Statute Tuesday

BRADENTON — Amid much public debate over the county's considered euthanization of a dog after an incident where a labrador bit off part of a child's ear in what advocates say was self-protection after feeling threatened by the child, the Manatee County Commission will discuss section 13(2) of Florida Statute chapter 767. The section discusses law on attacks or bites by a "dangerous dog."

The statute states:

"If a dog that has not been declared dangerous attacks and causes severe injury to or death of any human, the dog shall be immediately confiscated by an animal control authority, placed in quarantine, if necessary, for the proper length of time or held for 10 business days after the owner is given written notification under s. 767.12, and thereafter destroyed in an expeditious and humane manner. This 10-day time period shall allow the owner to request a hearing under s. 767.12.

"The owner shall be responsible for payment of all boarding costs and other fees as may be required to humanely and safely keep the animal during any appeal procedure. In addition, if the owner of the dog had prior knowledge of the dog’s dangerous propensities, yet demonstrated a reckless disregard for such propensities under the circumstances, the owner of the dog is guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083."

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