TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A Florida lawmaker has introduced legislation aimed at strengthening the state’s dangerous dog laws following the death of an 8-year-old boy who was mauled in Volusia County last month.
State Sen. Tom Wright (R-Port Orange) has filed Senate Bill 572, which would create a statewide registry for dogs deemed dangerous and hold owners more accountable for attacks. The bill comes in response to the death of Michael Millett, whom investigators said was viciously mauled on Jan. 13 in his neighborhood north of DeLand.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood voiced his support for the proposed legislation, emphasizing the need for stricter penalties.
“We need to stiffen the penalties for this,” Chitwood said. “I’m hopeful that some of our state legislators and some of our representatives will take the time to meet with the family.”
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Under the proposed bill, all dog owners — not just those with dangerous dogs — would be required to keep their pets in a locked, fenced yard designed to prevent young children from entering and to stop dogs from escaping. Additionally, the legislation would change legal wording from “the owner shall be liable” to “the owner is liable” following an attack, making it easier to hold owners accountable.
Authorities say the two dogs responsible for attacking Millett escaped from a nearby yard. Investigators are still awaiting DNA results to confirm the animals’ involvement, and they say the dogs’ owner has not cooperated with the investigation.
The bill would also require owners under investigation for having a dangerous dog to obtain liability insurance of at least $100,000.
Sheriff Chitwood urged lawmakers to consider Millett’s family when debating the bill.
“I think you need to sit there and talk to Michael’s mom and really let the legislators understand how this law needs to be changed,” he said. “When this happens, people need to be held accountable.”
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