TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Senate will vote tomorrow on the “Pam Rock Act,” named after Pam Rock, who was tragically killed by 5 pit bulls whereas delivering mail in 2022. The invoice goals to extend accountability for harmful canine house owners by requiring them to maintain their pets securely confined and carry legal responsibility insurance coverage value at the least $100,000.
The backstory:
Pam’s brothers, Fred and Tom Rock, have labored with lawmakers to move the invoice. Fred shared the emotional motivation behind their efforts:Â
“I really feel as if she’s up in heaven trying down on her older brothers and saying, ‘Guys, I want you to assist me end this off.'” Tom added, “We’re devoted to creating positive that we may also help move one of the best regulation attainable in order that there aren’t any extra Pam Rock assaults.”
READ: Tampa canine proprietor pries open gator’s jaws to save lots of pet from assault
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Underneath the invoice, house owners of harmful canine would face felony prices and the canine can be euthanized if it assaults or kills somebody. State Senator Jay Collins, the invoice’s sponsor, harassed the necessity for accountability, noting that harmful canine are sometimes not euthanized or correctly dealt with beneath present legal guidelines.Â
What they’re saying:
“The issue is straightforward. At the moment, if a canine is deemed harmful, or it is attacked someone, very often they are not put down, they are not dealt with. In lots of circumstances, they’ve truly been adopted out. Think about should you went to the shelter, received a canine, it appears good, you adore it, and you do not notice the background. So what we’re making an attempt to do is ensure there’s accountability,” mentioned Collins.Â
The opposite facet:
The invoice additionally mandates that canine with a harmful historical past be microchipped to stop them from being adopted out. Nevertheless, some critics, like Sierra Hancock from Rags to Riches canine shelter, argue that it might unfairly goal sure breeds.
“There’s by no means essentially a foul canine, only a unhealthy proprietor, and improper coaching,” she mentioned.
By the numbers:
Regardless of these considerations, supporters of the invoice, together with Tom Rock, level to the rising variety of deadly canine assaults nationwide, noting that the speed of fatalities within the U.S. has greater than doubled from 48 to nearly 105 between 2018 and 2023.
Some Florida counties have already got related measures in place, together with obligatory canine registration, microchipping, and obedience coaching. If the invoice passes, these insurance policies would change into uniform throughout the state and take impact on July 1.
The Supply: The data on this story was collected by FOX 13’s Evyn Moon.Â
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