If you or someone you love has been hurt by a dog, Florida is taking steps to protect you—and to hold irresponsible dog owners accountable.

Starting July 1, 2025, a new law, House Bill 593, known as the “Pam Rock Act” will go into effect, requiring the owners of dangerous dogs to carry at least $100,000 in liability insurance. This means that if you're injured by a dog that has a known history of aggression, this law now mandates a source of financial compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and other losses you may suffer as a result of your dog bite injuries.   

What This Law Means for You

This law was named after Pam Rock, a postal worker who tragically lost her life in 2022 after being attacked by five dogs while delivering mail in Putnam County. Her death—and the growing number of serious dog attacks in Florida—prompted lawmakers to take action.

Here's how the new law helps victims like you:

• Financial Protection: Dangerous dog owners must now carry liability insurance, giving victims a much better chance of receiving the compensation they deserve.
• Stricter Safety Rules: These dogs must be kept in secure enclosures with warning signs, microchipped, neutered, and vaccinated for rabies.
• Greater Owner Accountability: If an owner fails to follow these rules or ignores their dog's dangerous behavior, they now face criminal charges—a first-degree misdemeanor.
• Better Shelter Transparency: Animal shelters are now required to tell potential adopters if a dog has a violent history, helping prevent future attacks.

Why This Matters

Each year, over 600 Floridians are hospitalized because of dog bites. Tragically, about two people die annually from these attacks. In addition to Pam Rock, recent victims include:

• An 86-year-old woman who lost her leg after being attacked by a neighbor's dog in Hawthorne; and
• An 8-year-old boy who was killed by two dogs in early 2025.

These stories are heartbreaking, but they have also sparked real change. Florida's new law is designed to make communities safer and ensure that victims are not left to suffer alone or pay out of pocket for injuries caused by a dog owner's negligence.

What To Do If You or a Loved One Has Been Bitten By a Dog

If you or a loved one has been bitten or attacked by a dog, you may now have more legal options than ever before. Speaking with a personal injury attorney can help you understand your rights and start the process of getting the compensation you need to heal and move forward.  Our team of experienced personal injury attorneys at Taylor, Warren, Weidner, Hancock & Barnes stand poised and ready to help, and we never require any fee, cost, or obligation to simply talk to you about your case and explain your rights.  If you have questions about a dog bite, contact us.