Can a Dog Be Put Down for Biting Another Dog?

Almost 40% of Floridians own at least one dog. While most dog owners take the time to train their pets, issues can still arise. When a dog attacks another dog, what happens next is not always left up to the owners. 

Florida has specific laws regarding dog aggression and legal responsibility. Ultimately, the decision comes down to how the court interprets the individual circumstances of each situation. 
If another dog bit your dog, contact our Miami dog bite lawyers for a free case evaluation and consultation. You may have the legal right to seek compensation from the negligent party.

When Can A Dog Be Put Down for Biting Another Dog?

Euthanasia after a dog bite in Florida can occur in certain circumstances, and Florida laws can hold dog owners liable for damages caused to other dogs and people. 

Additionally, the Pam Rock Act dog bite rules in Florida took effect on July 1, 2025, making significant changes to the classification of dangerous dogs. 

Key changes include:

• Mandatory $100,000 in liability insurance for certain dog owners.
• Mandatory certificate or registration, microchipping, spaying and neutering of dangerous dogs, and secure confinement.
• Statewide standard classification for what constitutes a dangerous dog.
• The introduction of a statewide bite index.
• Stricter penalties for dangerous dog owners.
• Expands animal control authority to investigate, impound, and euthanize dangerous dogs.

Most dog owners are concerned about their pet’s fate and legal liability when a dog attack occurs. Determining when dogs can be put down for aggression depends on:

• The severity of injuries from the dog attack.
• Whether the dog has a history of previous dog bite cases.
• The specific circumstances.

Since Florida does not have a “one bite rule,” strict liability is also taken into consideration, meaning dog owners are held liable for attacks, regardless of the dog’s previous behaviors and the owner’s knowledge of their dog’s aggressiveness. 

Florida’s New Dangerous Dog Laws: The Pam Rock Act (2025)

In August 2022, postal carrier Pam Rock’s mail truck broke down in Putnam County. She was walking on foot when five dogs, which had a history of aggression, attacked and mauled her. While she was rushed to the hospital for treatment, she ultimately died from complications due to her injuries. 

The parents of eight-year-old Michael Millett also helped to champion the Pam Rock Act and dangerous dog laws in Florida in 2025. Their son was killed by two aggressive dogs that escaped from their yard while Michael was riding his bike in Volusia County in January 2025. 

Under the Act, the classification criteria for aggressive and dangerous dogs are based on their behavior and are not breed-specific, if any of the following occur:

• There is a severe injury from aggressive attacks and bites during a dog bite incident.
• The dog appears menacing or chases after people or other dogs.
• The dog has killed or severely injured other pets on one or more occasions.

The new dog bite laws in Florida require animal control to immediately confiscate and impound any dog that has attacked another dog or person while the case is investigated. In the event there was a fatal attack or a severe dog bite, with a score of five or higher on the Dunbar bite scale, there is a mandatory euthanization requirement. 

Dog owners can also face fines of up to $1,000 per violation and potential criminal charges for failing to comply with the Act, including: 

• Third-degree felony with up to five years in prison for removing a microchip.
• Second-degree felony when a previously classified dangerous dog attacks, severely injures, or kills another person.
• First-degree misdemeanor when a dog owner knows their dog has dangerous propensities, and the dog causes severe injuries or death.

What Determines if a Dog Will Be Euthanized After Biting Another Dog?

The decision to euthanize a dog after biting another dog depends on several key factors, including: 

• The severity of the bite.
• The dog’s history of aggression.
• The context of the biting incident (provoked or unprovoked).
• The results of the animal control investigation.

When comparing dog-on-dog vs. dog-on-human attacks, human attacks have stricter standards and also include:

• The Dunbar bite scale rating.
• If there is a history of previous human bite incidents.
• If the dog is classified as a dangerous dog.

The animal control investigation begins as soon as the incident is reported. The dog is taken into custody and held for a minimum of 10 business days to monitor the dog’s behavior and check for rabies. The dog cannot be moved or transferred during the investigation. The owner has a right to request a hearing and appeal a dangerous dog classification. The owner can also appeal an order to euthanize the dog in certain situations. 

Not all dogs are euthanized after the investigation, even when they are classified as dangerous. Under Florida statutes, and the Pam Rock Act, a dog is deemed dangerous if:

• The dog aggressively attacked another dog or human without provocation.
• Previous animal injury or death on one or more dog bite incidents.
• The dog exhibits menacing and aggressive behaviors.

Legal Consequences for Dog Owners When Their Dog Attacks Another Dog

The legal aggressive dog bite consequences for dog owners can include both civil and criminal procedures. Dog owners are liable for dog bites under Florida personal injury laws and strict liability, holding the owner responsible for all costs of the attack, as well as other losses, even if the owner had no prior knowledge of their dog’s potential for aggressive behavior. 

The other dog’s owner can also seek compensation for:

• Veterinary bills
• Medication expenses
• Rehabilitation expenses
• Property damage
• Surgery expenses
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of companionship

In addition, if your dog bit another dog, legal consequences could also include criminal charges, which vary based on the specific circumstances of the dog bite incident. 

Some of the penalties could include:

• Fines up to $1,000 per violation.
• Jail time up to one year for misdemeanors.
• Jail time up to five years for felonies.

However, just because a dog bite incident takes place does not mean you may be held liable. There are certain exceptions when you might not be liable, such as:

• Your dog was provoked by the other dog.
• The dog was trespassing on your property.
• Your dog was acting in self-defense.

Insurance Implications

Homeowner’s and renter’s insurance implications after a dog bite claim could involve increased premiums and potential policy cancellations. Some insurance providers may also deny coverage for certain breeds of dogs or when a dog has been classified as a dangerous dog. 

The Investigation Process: What Happens if My Dog Bites Another Dog?

Dog bite incidents must be reported to local animal control authorities, regardless of whether the owner knew about the attack. Under dog bite quarantine laws in Florida, animal control will take the dog into custody and quarantine it for a period of ten business days while they investigate the incident. 

Investigation processes include:

• Obtaining statements from witnesses, the dog’s owner, and the victim.
• Reviewing the dog’s veterinary records.
• Reviewing the dog’s history of previous attacks.
• Having a veterinarian assessment completed.
• Reviewing the injured dog’s veterinary care records.
• Reviewing the medical records of an injured human.

During the dog bite incident investigation, the dog’s owner is responsible for all boarding and care costs. The dog cannot be moved or transferred during the investigation. If the dog is not taken into custody, it must be securely confined.

Once animal control issues their final determination, the owner has the right to due process, legal representation, and can request a formal hearing. They can also appeal a decision to classify a dog as dangerous. 

Preventing Dog-On-Dog Attacks: Owner Responsibilities

Dog owners have a responsibility to help prevent dog-on-dog attacks, which should include:

• Proper socialization from puppy age to prevent dog aggression and expose dogs to other animals.
• Recognizing the warning signs, such as growling, avoiding eye contact, resource guarding, and showing signs of aggressive behavior.
• Adhering to local leash laws.
• Maintaining a secure confinement at home in a fenced or enclosed area on your property.
• Maintaining control over your dog at all times in public spaces.
• Seeking professional help for training and behavioral issues, and to address aggressive tendencies.
• Maintaining vaccinations to prevent disease-related aggression.
• Taking precautions when introducing your dog to other dogs and pet owners.
• Avoiding situations where potentially aggressive dogs may be present.
• Monitoring your dog’s behavior when they are around many dogs, like at the dog park.
• Spaying or neutering your dog to help reduce territorial aggression tendencies or to satisfy dangerous dog requirements.

When Dogs Fight: Immediate Steps To Take

It is vital to attempt to remain calm and avoid direct eye contact with the dogs during a dog fight. Never attempt to reach for their collars or get in between a dog fight. If you make eye contact, it can escalate the aggression and result in the dog attacking you. 

Instead, you should take these steps:

• Safely separate the dogs: Use loud noises, bang on metal objects, use water, throw a blanket or jacket over the dogs, or pull the dogs backward on their leash. 
• Secure the dogs: Once separated, secure both dogs so that they cannot see or reach each other.
• Exchange information: Exchange contact details and insurance information with the other dog’s owner.
• Access injuries and seek treatment: Immediately check each dog for injuries and seek veterinary care as soon as possible, even if injuries seem minor, as they could be much deeper.
• Gather evidence: Take pictures and videos of any injuries, where the incident occurred, and obtain contact details from any witnesses.
• Contact animal control: Florida tort law requires all dog bite incidents to be reported to animal control immediately and to file an incident report.

Your Dog Was Attacked: Legal Rights and Next Steps

Your next steps could involve contacting the police in situations where:

• Your dog is severely injured or has been killed.
• The attack was unprovoked.
• The aggressive dog’s owner cannot be located.
• The attacking dog’s owner refuses to cooperate and share information. 

In certain situations, the other dog’s owner could face criminal charges in addition to bringing a civil action against them. 

Your legal rights after your dog was attacked include seeking legal representation from a Miami personal injury lawyer. Without Florida dog bite legal help in Miami, insurance adjusters will use various tactics and make lowball settlement offers. 

Under Florida’s strict liability statute, you could be entitled to damages caused by the dog attack, such as:

• Dog bite veterinary bills compensation.
• Ongoing veterinary care for your dog.
• Surgery costs.
• Rehabilitation costs.
• Pain and suffering.
• Mental anguish.

To establish negligence, you will need to have sufficient evidence to support your claim, including:

• Medical records.
• Photos and videos of your dog’s injuries.
• Witness contact details or witness statements.
• Animal control incident report.

The time limit for filing personal injury claims is two years from the incident date. You will file against the other dog owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance for your dog’s injuries. Additionally, if you are found to be partially at fault, your settlement can be reduced under Florida’s modified comparative negligence system.

It is important to remember that the other party may not be liable in certain situations, such as:

• You and your dog were trespassing on their property.
• Your dog provoked the attack.

Insurance and Financial Implications of Dog Attacks 

Homeowner’s and renter’s insurance policies typically have liability insurance coverage for dog attacks. However, there are often specific exclusions and limitations as to the coverage limits.

Most pet owners have a minimum of $100,000 in coverage. As of July 1, 2025, any owner of a classified “dangerous dog” must carry a minimum of $100,000 in coverage. Insurance companies can also deny coverage for certain breeds of dogs or charge a surcharge, resulting in a higher premium to cover a restricted breed. 

After a dog bite incident, the negligent dog owner could face costs, including:

• Legal defense fees
• Civil lawsuit
• Criminal charges
• Criminal fines
• Veterinary bills for their injured dog
• All costs associated with an animal control confinement

Depending on the extent of injuries, and whether this was a repeat dog bite incident, they could also face a non-renewal or cancellation of their insurance policy. 

In some cases, where the victim’s owner files against their liability insurance for injuries and property damage, the negligent party could face subrogation, where the victim’s insurance comes after them for reimbursement of all compensation they paid to the victim. 

Protecting Your Dog and Community: Best Practices

Safety obligations for dog owners in Florida include:

• Adhering to all leash laws.
• Maintaining control over your dog at all times while in public.
• Keeping up on their vaccinations for public safety.
• Registering and licensing your dog in your county.
• Preventing your dog from causing disturbances.
• Maintaining animal liability insurance.
• Spaying or neutering your dog to reduce aggressive tendencies.
• Keeping your dog inside a secure enclosure when at home.
• Fenced-in yards should be well-maintained and have locking gates.
• Muzzling your dog in public to protect others when you know they can become aggressive.
• Having your dog complete professional dog training classes and socialization programs.
• Informing your veterinarian of any behavioral issues.
• Taking your dog to a behavioral specialist for pet owners.
• Educating family members and children about dog safety and warning signs of aggressive dogs.
• Calmly approaching neighbors with aggressive dogs to discuss any issues before reporting them to animal control.

When To Consult a Dog Bite Attorney

You should consult with a Miami dog bite injury lawyer as soon as possible following the dog bite incident for any of these reasons:

• Your dog was severely injured or killed.
• You are unsure of what to do if you are bitten by a dog.
• The other dog’s owner is uncooperative or disputes negligence.
• The other dog’s owner’s insurance company made a lowball settlement offer.
• You need honest legal advice and guidance.
• You are unsure what legal rights you have.

Hiring an attorney provides these benefits:

• Ensures maximum damage recovery and a favorable settlement.
• Addresses and resolves insurance claim disputes.
• Helps gather evidence to support your claim.
• Files your claim and handles all negotiations with the insurance company.

If your dog is bitten, you must act quickly to protect your legal rights and file your claim within the allowed statute of limitations. 

At Bernstein & Maryanoff, we have been helping victims in Miami and throughout Southern Florida secure favorable settlements for over four decades. We offer free consultations and legal representation on a contingency basis, meaning you only pay legal fees once we win your case.

Sources:

FLA. STAT. § 767.04. (2025).

FLA. STAT. § 767.11. (2025).

FLA. STAT. § 767.12. (2025).

FLA. STAT. § 768.81. (2025).

HB 593. (2025).

Pet Ownership Statistics by State 2025. (2025).

Van de Riet, E. (2025). 8-year-old Boy ‘Brutally Mauled’ by Loose Dogs Remembered for ‘Contagious Laugh,’ Family Says.