So you finally decide to adopt a puppy or grown dog from one of the local shelters. Good for you! Now that you have chosen your new addition, it is very important to make certain that the puppy grows into a well-trained dog, and the grown dog, learns to be a safe and valuable member of the family. As my dad has always said, dogs are like children that never grow up and move out of the house. Because of this, they need continuous positive reinforcement. Just like people, some dogs can develop bad behavior traits, or can be easily provoked into nipping or biting (this isn’t to be confused with a puppy who will nip and teethe because, well, that’s what puppies do). As the dog’s owner, it is important to know your dog and what situations are safe for him and others.
In Florida, a dog owner can be held responsible for the damages caused by the owner’s dog. This would include, among other expenses, the medical bills. Florida Statutes, section 767.01 states that “Owners of dogs shall be liable for any damage done by their dogs to a person or to any animal…”. Section 767.04 states that the “owner of any dog that bites any person while such person is on or in a public place, or lawfully on or in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog is liable for damages suffered by persons bitten, regardless of former viciousness of the dog, or the owner’s knowledge of such viciousness…” In Palm Beach County, the animal laws have recently become more strict. Now authorities can declare a dog “dangerous” if the dog attacks another (the law used to be that a dog could be declared dangerous after two attacks). Moreover, if the dog seriously injures or kills a person, the dog can be declared “vicious” and can be euthanized.
As a responsible pet owner, it is up to you to make sure that you do not have a dog that is harmful to other animals and people. If you intend for your dog to be a “watch dog” or “guard dog”, or if you know that your dog has a tendency to not play well with others, it is imperative that you display signs around your home and property (such as on the fence, gate, door) that say “BAD DOG” or “BEWARE OF BAD DOG. ” Florida Statute Section 767.04 states an owner is not liable, except as to a person under the age of 6, or unless the damages are proximately caused by a negligent act or omission of the owner, if at the time of any such injury the owner had displayed in a prominent place on his or her premises a sign easily readable including the words “Bad Dog.” These warning signs give someone who is about to enter your property or home sufficient warning that they are entering at their own risk of getting bitten. Florida law does further state that “the negligence of the person bitten that is the proximate cause of the biting incident reduces the liability of the owner of the dog by the percentage that the bitten person’s negligence contributed to the biting incident.” This would also come into play if someone decided to taunt, torture or harm the dog, as biting is the only way a dog can protect itself.
Owning a dog, or two can be a rewarding experience. When you make a dog part of your family, you really do gain a loyal friend and companion.
