b'Pam Rocks death was horrific,ones,willbeflaggedand and avoidable, but the law thatpenalized disproportionately. bearshernamewouldnotResponsible dog owners have prevented it. None of theagreethattrulydangerous fivedogswereformallydogs, and their owners, must declareddangerousbefore- be appropriately regulated by hand,anditsuncertainthe state and counties. Sadly, whetherthetwoearlierbecausethePamRocklaw injuries to humans were levelfails to correct the prior laws 5+ bites, which would man- treatingtrulyaggressive dateconfiscationunderthebehavior no different than sit-newlaw.Whilethelawuational or fearful reactions, or appears to create accountabil- evenplayfuljumping,there ity, it instead introduces puni- willbemoredesignations, tivenewburdensformanymoresurrenders,andmore owners, and their dogs, with- euthanasia-notforpublic outfixingthefundamentalsafety,butbecausethelaw vagueness in the statutory def- continues to cast too wide a inition of dangerous dog.net. MostconcerningistheWeallwantsafercom-mandatory insurance require- munities.Butsafetymust ment.Floridainsurancebeachievedthroughfair, industryexpertsadmittheclear,andproportionallaws. required insurance is difficultFloridasupdateddangerous to obtain, and if obtained, it isdogstatute,thoughwell-extremelyexpensive,render- intentioned,createsnew ingcompliancewiththatinjustices. We need a smarter requirementimpossibleforapproach,onethatprotects many owners. Without proofthe public without condemn-ofinsurance,theymustsur- ing dogs who had truly just rendertheirdogs,whowillhad one bad day. Uundoubtedly be euthanized.Itisimportantto remember that this law applies toanydeclareddangerous dog,includingthosewho haveneverbittenanyone before, who have only acted aggressivelythisonetime, who bit someone out of fear orpain,whoendangered someone,orwhocausedan injuryrequiringasingle stitch, even if it was not from a bite.Once labeled dangerous, evengooddogscanfaceApril, Chewie & a frienddeath, not for being an actual threat, but because their own- Y April S. Goodwin, Esq. ers cant obtain or afford theThe Goodwin Firm required insurance.33 4th St. N.St. Petersburg, FL Anddespiteitsstricter727.316.5333 penalties, the law still doesntGoodwin-Firm.com clarifywhatmenacing,Employer Rights aggressive, or endangeringPet Rights really mean. As a result, morePet Professionals dogs, especially large, excitableTrademark Lawwww.TheNewBarker.com THE NEW BARKER23'