Dog Bites
Fla. Stat. 767.04 — the owner is liable whether or not the dog was known to be vicious
Regardless of past viciousness. The owner of a dog that bites a person in a public place, or lawfully on private property including the owner's own, is liable in Florida for the damages, regardless of the dog's former viciousness or the owner's knowledge of it.
A person is lawfully on the owner's property when there to perform a duty under state or federal law or postal regulations, or on the owner's express or implied invitation. The bitten person's own negligence that helped cause the bite reduces the owner's liability by that percentage.
The "Bad Dog" sign. An owner who had a prominent, easily readable sign including the words "Bad Dog" displayed is not liable, except to a person under the age of 6, or where the owner's own negligent act or omission caused the damages.
Sources for this section (1)
- Fla. Stat. 767.04 — Dog owner's liability for damages to persons bitten
Legal information, not legal advice. Verified as of September 2026. Applying it to a particular situation is the work of a licensed Florida attorney.