On June 16, 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a new provision to Florida’s “Dangerous Dogs,” law that became effective October 1st.

   Florida's "Dangerous Dogs" law includes public housing and addresses breed restrictions in public housing authorities.    While it permits public housing authorities to have restrictions on dogs, these restrictions cannot be solely based on size, weight, or breed, only on the animal’s behavior.

   This change is intended to reduce overcrowding in animal shelters and provide more housing options for pet owners.

   Miami-Dade County previously banned ownership of dogs resembling pit bulls after 1990 and allowed breed-based euthanization. Sunrise city mandated strict confinement rules for pit bulls. These regulations are no longer valid.

   The statute covers local governments and public housing but does not extend to private landlords, homeowners' associations, or insurance companies.

Let’s Bring Awareness:

   National Pit Bull Awareness Day, established in 2007, aims to promote positive awareness of Pit Bulls and their responsible owners. Pit Bulls have a storied history as war heroes, movie stars, police dogs, and loyal companions.

   However, negative actions by a few individuals have led to widespread criticism of the breed. Bless the Bully's, a Tennessee-based non-profit, initiated the idea of National Pit Bull Awareness Day, which has grown into a month-long event in October, culminating in National Pit Bull Awareness Day on October 28th. Despite efforts to counter breed-specific legislation and negative bias, many people remain misinformed about Pit Bulls.