VOLUSIA COUNTY, Fla. — Owning a dog could soon be a lot more expensive for some people in Volusia County, after county leaders approved a plan that would require some people who own dangerous dogs to carry half a million dollars in liability insurance.
As policymakers in Tallahassee consider setting a new insurance requirement for dangerous dog owners across the state, the Volusia County Council adopted a tougher local standard that requires five times the proposed statewide amount.
As policymakers in Tallahassee consider setting a new insurance requirement for dangerous dog owners across the state, the Volusia County Council adopted a tougher local standard that requires five times the proposed statewide amount.
On May 6, the Council approved an ordinance requiring a minimum of $500,000 in liability coverage for owners of dogs classified as dangerous in unincorporated areas, Pierson, and Oak Hill.
“Dangerous dogs can kill people. They can harm other animals and if you’re going to have one, it’s going to cost you. You’ve got to make sure you’re a responsible owner and have the proper insurances in the event of something happening and that’s really the only motive,” District 5 County Council Member David Santiago said. “The goal is to keep people responsible and protect people in Volusia.”
The move comes months after two dogs attacked and killed an 8-year-old boy in DeLand last January.
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Santiago said it’s a proactive effort to reduce risk and place greater accountability on those who choose to keep dogs with a documented history of aggression.
Volusia County Animal Services has jurisdictional authority in the unincorporated areas, as well as in the Town of Pierson and the City of Oak Hill, through interlocal agreements.
According to the county, a dog may be classified as dangerous by Volusia County Animal Services following an investigation. This classification will be based on behavior—not breed.
A dog may be deemed dangerous if it has aggressively bitten or attacked a person without provocation, inflicted severe injury, killed or seriously injured another animal off its owner’s property more than once, or approached a person in public in a menacing manner that threatens safety.
“It’s a philosophical approach and a decision that if you want to have a dangerous dog in Volusia County, it’s going to cost you and you’ve got to have the right insurance to make sure that you have to really think, you know, hard if you want to spend the amount of money is going to be required to have that dog in Volusia County. I want to keep people safe,” Santiago said.
Once classified as dangerous, the owner of the dog must meet strict requirements, including obtaining a certificate of registration, ensuring secure confinement, posting warning signage, providing permanent identification, and maintaining the required liability insurance.
Owners who fail to comply with the ordinance—including the insurance mandate—are subject to a $500 civil fine per violation. Animal Control officers may also immediately impound the dog, and if the violation is not remedied within the legal timeframe, the dog may be humanely euthanized following proper notice or appeal. Additional enforcement measures may also be pursued under local and state law.
The County is processing the ordinance with the Florida Department of State, and it is expected to take effect in the coming weeks. Once effective, all owners of dogs classified as dangerous in unincorporated Volusia County, Pierson, and Oak Hill will be required to meet the updated insurance and registration requirements.
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