A Dog The County Calls Dangerous

The investigation. An animal control authority investigates reported incidents involving a dog that may be dangerous, interviews the owner if possible, and requires a sworn affidavit from anyone who wants the dog classified as dangerous.

• §Fla. Stat. 767.12

When the dog is taken. A dog under investigation that killed a person, or bit a person leaving a bite mark scoring 5 or higher on the Dunbar bite scale, is immediately confiscated, impounded and held through the investigation and any hearing or appeal; it may not be destroyed while an appeal is pending, and the owner pays the boarding costs. Any other dog under investigation may be confiscated, or kept confined by the owner, and may not be relocated or transferred meanwhile.

• §Fla. Stat. 767.12

When a dog may not be declared dangerous. Not where the injury was sustained by a person unlawfully on the property, or lawfully there but tormenting, abusing or assaulting the dog, its owner or a family member; and not where the dog was protecting a person nearby from an unjustified attack.

• §Fla. Stat. 767.12

The hearing. After the investigation, the authority makes an initial determination of sufficient cause and a proposed penalty, and notifies the owner in writing. The owner may request a hearing in writing within 7 calendar days of receiving it; the hearing is held not later than 21 calendar days and not sooner than 5 days after the request. If no hearing is timely requested, the authority's determination is final.

• §Fla. Stat. 767.12