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Florida

breed Specific Legislation for Florida

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UPDATE:

On June 16, 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law a bill that abolishes the remaining municipal and public housing breed-specific restrictions, largely impacting pit bulls.

The bill (SB 942) was almost unanimously supported in both chambers, recording only one dissenting vote.

The bill's sponsor, Republican Rep. Demi Busatta Cabrera from Miami, commented during the House debate, "We must no longer allow unwarranted restrictions in public housing to exacerbate the problem." She pointed out that housing issues are often the reason people abandon their pets to animal shelters.

Previous legislation had already outlawed breed-specific local regulations, but those enacted before October 1, 1990, were exempt. As a result, Miami's ban on pit bulls remained, and a 1989 law in Sunrise mandated that "pit bull dogs" be securely penned or muzzled.

However, starting from October 1, 2023 any existing laws that impose breed-specific restrictions will become invalid.

Active Regulations

Please note: We are keeping these listings active because the respected city has not removed them. However, as mentioned above, the regulations can not be enforced as of 10/1/2023 because of the statewide ban on breed-specific legislation.

City: Chipley

Ordinance:

Section 6-135 & 6-136

Last Verified:

05/19/2022

Ordinance Adopted:

Unknown

Breeds:

Pit bulls

Type 

Confinement & Registration

Excerpt

Sec. 6-135. - Confinement.
(a)Because of the pit bull dog's inbred propensity to attack other animals and because of the danger posed to humans and animals alike by a pit bull dog when running loose or while running together in a pack, pit bull dogs must at all times be securely and totally enclosed in a locked pen, with either a top or sides six feet high.(b)At any time that a pit bull dog is not confined as required in subsection (a) of this section, the dog shall be muzzled in such a manner as to prevent it from biting or injuring any person or animal and kept on a leash no longer than six feet with the owner or custodian in attendance.(c)An exception to this section is hereby provided for any pit bull dog in attendance at and participating in any lawful dog show, contest or exhibition sponsored by a dog club, association, society, or similar organization.
(Code 1987, § 4-30; Ord. No. 867, § 2, 9-12-2006)

Sec. 6-136. - Registration.
(a)In order to ensure that owners of pit bull dogs are in compliance with the requirements of this article and to assist in ensuring compliance therewith, every owner of a pit bull dog in the city shall register the dog with the code enforcement department. The registration shall include the following:(1)The name, address and telephone number of the dog's owner;(2)The address where the dog is harbored, if different from the owner's address;(3)A complete identification of the dog, including the dog's sex, color; and any other distinguishing physical characteristics; and(4)Proof of rabies vaccination.(b)Newly acquired pit bull dogs shall be registered with the code enforcement department no later than 72 hours after acquisition.(c)All owners or persons owning pit bull dogs or persons responsible for the care of such dogs prior to the enactment of this article will be required to register the dogs with the city code enforcement office within 30 days and must be in full compliance with the confinement requirements within 90 days.(d)Registration fees are to be set by the city council.

City: Coral Gables

Ordinance:

Section 10-67 & 10-68

Last Verified:

05/19/2022

Ordinance Adopted:

Unknown

Breeds:

Pit bulls

Type 

Confinement & Muzzle

Excerpt

Sec. 10-67. - License or permit.
(a)Required. All persons keeping, caring for, harboring or having in their possession or under their control or being the owner or having any interest in any pit bull dog shall obtain from the licensing division of the finance department a permit or license so as to keep, care for, harbor or have in their possession or under their control any such animal, excepting veterinary hospitals properly licensed by the city. A pit bull dog shall mean any American Staffordshire, Staffordshire Terrier or Stafford Bull Terrier or American Pit Bull Terrier. Pit bulls shall also include all mixed breeds, except any mixed breed having less than one-eighth of its breed of the breed of American Staffordshire Terrier or Staffordshire Bull Terrier or Bull Terrier or American Pit Bull Terrier.(b)Record. The licensing division of the finance department shall enter into a book to be kept for that purpose, a record of the name and general description of each pit bull, together with a three-inch by five-inch picture, for which such permit or license is required, together with the name and address of the person registering such dog.(c)Fee and tag; expiration; revocation.(1)There shall be paid for the permit or license for a pit bull a fee in the amount established in section 1-8 for each year or part thereof, for each such dog for which such permit is obtained. The licensing division of the finance department shall issue and furnish to such applicant a tag setting forth an identification number and other information relative to such licensed dog, which tag shall be attached by the applicant to such dog.(2)Each permit or license issued for a pit bull shall commence October 1 of each year and expire September 30 of each year. The date of expiration of such permit or license shall be stamped or printed on the prescribed tag.(3)The license or permit shall be subject to revocation by the city commission after a three-day notice to the owner of such dogs, in the event the city commission is advised that the dog is a vicious dog and has attacked and bitten one or more persons or is guilty of destruction of other animals or fowl. A serious attack upon such person or animal through biting shall be deemed destructive in the sense of this section.(d)Removal. Where any dog whose license has been cancelled by the city commission because of viciousness, such dog is hereby declared to be inimical to the public interest and a dangerous animal, and it is hereby made the duty of the city police officers to contact the county animal control for immediate removal of such dog from the city's streets. This provision is hereby declared to be necessary for the preservation and safety of the community and for the protection of the residents of the city, particularly the children.
(Code 1958, §§ 5-14— 5-16; Code 1991, §§ 5-13— 5-15; Code 2006, §§ 10-38—10-40; Ord. No. 2588, § 1, 9-24-1985)

Sec. 10-68. - Leash and muzzle provisions.
All pit bulls shall at all times, whether on private or public property, other than in securely enclosed structures on private property, be under secure leash and adequately muzzled so as to make it impossible for such dogs to bite.

City: Florida City

Ordinance:

Section 10-70 Thru 10-72

Last Verified:

05/19/2022

Ordinance Adopted:

Unknown

Breeds:

Pit bulls

Type 

Confinement, Insurance, Registration

Excerpt

Sec. 10-70. - Liability insurance or other evidence of financial responsibility required to be maintained by owners.
In order to protect the public and to afford relief from the severe harm and injury which is likely to result from pit bulldog attacks, every owner of a pit bulldog shall at all times that he owns the dog, provide evidence of his financial responsibility and ability to respond in damages up to and including the amount of $300,000.00 for bodily injury to or death of any person or for damage to property owned by any person which may result from the ownership, keeping or maintenance of such dog. Proof of ability to respond in damages shall be given by filing with the animal control officer a certificate of insurance from an insurance company authorized to do business in the state certifying that the owner is and will be insured against liability to respond in such damages. The certificate of insurance shall specifically acknowledge by endorsement or otherwise from the insurer that the liability coverage applies to pit bulldogs. Alternatively, proof of ability to respond in damages may be given by posting with the animal control office a surety bond, conditioned upon the payment of such damages or other equivalent evidence of financial responsibility such as a personal bond secured by a mortgage on real property or security interest in personal property.

(Code 1977, § 4-34)

Sec. 10-71. - Confinement.
(a)Because of the pit bulldog's inbred propensity to attack other animals, and because of the danger posed to humans and animals alike by pit bulldogs, when running loose or while running together in a pack, pit bulldogs shall at all times be securely confined indoors, or confined in a securely and totally enclosed and locked pen, with either a top or with sides six feet high.(b)At any time that a pit bulldog is not confined as required in subsection (a) of this section, the dog shall be muzzled in such a manner as to prevent it from biting or injuring any person or animal, and kept on a leash with the owner or custodian in attendance.(c)An exception to this section is hereby provided for any pit bulldog in attendance at, and participating in, any lawful dog show, contest or exhibition sponsored by a dog club, association, society, or similar organization.(d)An exception to this section is hereby provided for any pit bulldog when the dog is actually engaged in the sport of hunting in authorized areas and supervised by a competent person.
(Code 1977, § 4-35)

Sec. 10-72. - Registration.
(a)In order to ensure compliance with the requirements of this article, every owner of a pit bulldog in the city shall register the dog with the animal control office of the city. The registration shall include the following: name, address and telephone number of the dog's owner; the address where the dog is harbored, if different from the owner's address; a complete identification of the dog including the dog's sex, color, and any other distinguishing physical characteristics; proof of rabies vaccination; and proof of liability insurance or other evidence of financial responsibility required pursuant to this division.(b)Newly acquired pit bulldogs shall be registered with the office of animal control no later than 72 hours after acquisition.

City: Marianna

Ordinance:

Section 10-37

Last Verified:

05/19/2022

Ordinance Adopted:

Unknown

Breeds:

Pit bulls

Type 

Confinement & Muzzle

Excerpt

Sec. 10-37. - Confinement and quarantine of animals.
modified
(a)Upon complaint, the animal control officer shall investigate whether an animal is dangerous or vicious. If the officer declares the animal to be dangerous or vicious, he shall provide written notice to the owner or keeper of the animal. The written notice shall state all the known facts and shall order the owner or keeper to securely confine the animal. The owner or keeper shall immediately comply with the officer's written order.
(1)Because of the pit bull dog's inbred propensity to attack other animals and because of the danger posed to humans and animals alike by a pit bull dog when running loose or while running together in a pack, pit bull dogs must at all times be securely and totally enclosed in a locked pen, with either a top or with sides six feet high.
(2)At any time that a pit bull dog is not confined as required in subsection (1) above, the dog shall be muzzled in such a manner as to prevent it from biting or injuring any person or animal and kept on a leash no longer than six feet with the owner or custodian in attendance.

(b)The owner or keeper of a female dog or cat in heat (estrus) shall confine such a dog or cat so as to make it inaccessible to any male dog or cat, except for controlled and intentional breeding purposes. Confinement by a leash, chain, or other similar restraint, or within a fence, open kennel, open cage, or run, may be, but shall not be presumed to be, in compliance with this section.

(c)When an animal has bitten or is believed to have bitten a human being or another animal, or is suspected of carrying rabies, the animal shall be quarantined for a reasonable period of time, as determined by the animal control officer, but in no case, no less than ten days. At the discretion of the officer the animal may be quarantined in a city approved pound or subpound, at any approved facility, or at the owner or keeper's property under the supervision of the animal control officer.

City: Miami-Dade County

Ordinance:

Section: 5-17.2, thru 5-17.4

Last Verified:

05/19/2022

Ordinance Adopted:

Unknown

Breeds:

Pit bulls

Type 

Confinement & Registration

Excerpt

Sec. 5-17.2. - Confinement of pit bull dogs.
(a)Because of the pit bull dog's inbred propensity to attack other animals, and because of the danger posed to humans and animals alike by a pit bull dog when running loose or while naming together in a pack, pit bull dogs must at all times be securely confined indoors, or confined in a securely and totally enclosed and locked pen, with either a top or with all four (4) sides at least six (6) feet high, and with a conspicuous sign displaying the words "Dangerous Dog."(b)At any time that a pit bull dog is not confined as required in subsection (a) above, the dog shall be muzzled in such a manner as to prevent it from biting or injuring any person or animal, and kept on a leash with the owner or custodian in attendance. Provided, however, that no pit bull dog may be walked within fifty (50) feet of any public school ground nor enter onto such school ground.(c)An exception to these confinement requirements is hereby provided for any pit bull dog in attendance at, and participating in, any lawful dog show, contest or exhibition sponsored by a dog club, association, society or similar organization.(d)An exception to these confinement requirements is hereby provided for any pit bull dog when the dog is actually engaged in the sport of hunting in an authorized area and supervised by a competent person.
(Ord. No. 89-22, § 4, 4-4-89)

Sec. 5-17.3. - Evidence of financial responsibility required to be maintained by owners of pit bull dogs.
In order to protect the public and to afford relief from the severe harm and injury which is likely to result from a pit bull dog attack, every owner of a pit bull dog shall maintain and be able to provide evidence of the owner's financial ability to respond in damages up to and including the amount of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00) for bodily injury to or death of any person or damage to property which may result from the ownership, keeping or maintenance of such dog. Proof of ability to respond in damages shall be given by filing with the Animal Control Office a certificate of insurance from an insurance company authorized to do business in the State, stating that the owner is and will be insured against liability for such damages; or by posting with the Animal Control Office a surety bond conditioned upon the payment of such damages during the period of such registration; or by posting a personal bond secured by a mortgage in real property or security interest in personal property; or a sworn statement of the owner of his/her financial ability to respond in damages up to and including the amount of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00).

Sec. 5-17.4. - Registration of pit bull dogs.
Every owner of a pit bull dog in Miami-Dade County shall register the dog with the Animal Services Division of the Public Works Department of the County. The registration shall include the following: Name, address and telephone number of the dog's owner; the address where the dog is harbored, if different from the owner's address; a complete identification of the dog including the dog's sex, color and any other distinguishing physical characteristics; a color photograph of the dog; a description of the method of compliance with the confinement requirements; proof of the liability insurance or other evidence of financial responsibility required pursuant to this article; and a registration fee.

City: Palm Beach County

Ordinance:

Section: 21-31-e

Last Verified:

05/19/2022

Ordinance Adopted:

Unknown

Breeds:

Pit bulls

Type 

Ban from Parks & Rec

Excerpt

(e)Pit bull dogs are prohibited from all parks and recreation areas. A "pit bull" dog is defined as that type of dog commonly referred to as American Pit Bull dog, Bull Terrier dog, Staffordshire Terrier dog, or any dog substantially similar to the above-mentioned dogs.

City:Sunrise

Ordinance:

Section: 4-49, 4-50

Last Verified:

05/19/2022

Ordinance Adopted:

Unknown

Breeds:

Pit bulls

Type 

Confinement & Registration

Excerpt

Sec. 4-49. - Confinement.
(a)Because of the pit bull dog's inbred propensity to attack other animals and because of the danger posed to humans and animals alike by a pit bull dog when running loose or while running together in a pack, pit bull dogs must at all times be securely confined indoors or confined in a securely and totally enclosed and locked pen, with either a top or with sides six (6) feet high.(b)At any time that a pit bull dog is not confined as required in subsection (a) above, the dog shall be muzzled in such a manner as to prevent it from biting or injuring any person or animal and kept on a leash no longer than six (6) feet with the owner or custodian in attendance.(c)An exception to this section is hereby provided for any pit bull dog in attendance at and participating in any lawful dog show, contest or exhibition sponsored by a dog club, association society, or similar organization.
(Ord. No. 251-A, § 2(4-17.3), 5-2-89)

Sec. 4-50. - Registration.
(a)In order to ensure that owners of pit bull dogs are in compliance with the requirements of this division and to assist in ensuring compliance therewith, every owner of a pit bull dog in the city shall register the dog with the code enforcement department. The registration shall include the following: name, address and telephone number of the dog's owner; the address where the dog is harbored, if different from the owner's address; a complete identification of the dog, including the dog's sex, color and any other distinguishing physical characteristics; and proof of rabies vaccination.(b)Newly acquired pit bull dogs shall be registered with the code enforcement department no later than seventy-two (72) hours after acquisition.
(Ord. No. 251-A, § 2(4-17.4), 5-2-89; Ord. No. 251-05-A, § 3, 8-9-05)

Repealed Ordinances

The following is a list of breed-specific ordinances which have been repealed.
The list is in alphabetical order.

List of Breed Specific Legislation in Florida

City Ordinance Breeds Type of Ordinance Last Checked Notes
Chipley 6-135 Confinement & Registration Pit Bulls 1/5/2023 None
Coral Gables 10-76 Confinement & Muzzle Pit Bulls 1/5/2023 None
Florida City 10-70 Confinement, Insurance, Registration Pit Bulls 1/5/2023 None
Marianna 10-37 Confinement & Muzzle Pit Bulls 1/5/2023 None
Miami-Dade County 5-17 Confinement & Registration Pit Bulls 1/5/2023 None
Palm Beach County 21-31-e Ban from Parks & Rec Pit Bulls 1/5/2023 None
Sunrise 4-49 Confinement & Registration Pit Bulls 1/5/2023 None

Helps Us

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FAQ

Breed Specific Legislation raise a lot of questions. We put together an FAQ page to help answer some of the most common questions we have ever asked.
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Check Other States Breed Specific Legislation

Disclaimer. We take multiple steps to ensure the information on this site is accurate and up to date. However, since there are so many legislation bodies it is difficult to track all instances of breed specific legislation. If we are missing something or if we have an error please let us know and will get it corrected.

Finally, information on this site is not intended to be used as legal advice. If you are facing BSL in your city, please reach out to your respect legislator or attorney.
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