Florida 'Dangerous Dog' Bill: Parents of the boy who are brought to death by dogs are laws

Deland, Fla, – – Florida's dangerous dog technology is only one step closer to the law. On Monday, the legislative template unanimously said goodbye to the Florida Senate. The week before, it went unanimously in the Florida house. Now it's going to governor Ron Desantis' desk.

“So we want him to be remembered.”

What we know:

Florida's “Pam Rock Act”, a legislation that strengthens the regulations for dangerous dogs, is unanimously placed in both the Senate and in the house. The signature of governor Desantis is now waiting.

In the case of legislation, the owners would safely restrict their animals, make sure that they are micro -chipped, neutered or neutered in a nationwide register, documented in a nationwide register and covered with liability insurance of USD $ 100,000. Criminal prosecution would also be granted the same authority as the legally prescribed animal control officers.

What we don't know:

It is still uncertain whether governor Desantis will officially sign the invoice, even though the followers remain hopeful. It is also unclear whether the current provisions of the law will be sufficient to prevent future tragedies, with some, including Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood, argue that stricter measures are still necessary.

The background story:

The law is named after Pam Rock, a Putnam County post company, which was killed in a pack of dogs with a well -known history of aggression in 2022. Michael Millett, an 8-year-old from Volusia County, was recorded by two striking dogs to death at the beginning of this year. In both cases, no criminal charges were raised against the dog owners. The families of both victims have now united to work for more legal protection.

Big Picture View:

Legislation represents a significant step to hold dog owners in Florida, but supporters like the Sheriff Chitwood by Volusia County warn that it is just the beginning. Community leaders and grieving families require even harder punishments in future legislation and recognize that the draft law is concerned with direct security measures, but still needs a broader change to protect the residents.

What you say:

The Pam Rock Act aims to strengthen the regulations for dangerous dogs. The law is named after a post office of Putnam County, which was brutally killed by a pack of dogs in 2022 – with a well -known malignant story. The Rock family is now working with Michael Millet's parents to fight for changes. The 8 -year -old Michael was killed by two dogs to death, who roamed his neighborhood in Volusia County on January 13th.

The new law cannot change Michael's fate, but his parents, Michael Millett and Tiffani Connell, said it could save another family from heartache.

“So we want him to be remembered,” said Connell and showed in photos of Michael on her T-shirt. “A smiling, happy, super funny, such a great little child. Like just a little best friend.”

No fees were submitted in Michael or Pams cases. Michael's parents say it is a connection that they never wanted, but are happy to have the support.

“They know how we feel about everyone,” said Connell.

The law would require dangerous dogs to be safely, microchipped, neutered or neutered and documented in a nationwide dangerous dog register.

“It's almost more about taking the owner more than the dog accountable,” said Millet.

The law would also prescribe dangerous dog owners as a liability insurance of $ 100,000, and the law enforcement officers gave the same authority as animal control officers. The sheriff of Volusia County, Mike Chitwood, said it doesn't go far enough.

“You shouldn't get a free pass because your animal has never bitten someone and then a child to death,” said Chitwood. “This is just the first step. You know that we have to do many other things to protect our residents from dangerous dogs.”

Chitwood said in front of the legislator in Tallahassee and was committed to the law. He said this case sticks to him.

“When I visited Michael during the autopsy, it was one of the most terrible things I've ever seen a child,” said Chitwood.

The parents of Chitwood and Michaels hope to fight harder punishments for dangerous dog owners in the future. According to Millett and Connell, they can see the person owned by the dogs who killed Michael.

“You are free to live your life and suffer in the worst way as possible,” said Connell.

The dogs were put to sleep. Chitwood assumes that Governor Desantis invales the bill.

“How do you look at these families and know that something has been taken away that they will never come back?” Asked Chitwood. “The fingers crossed there may be a good chance that the governor will sign this by next week.”

Millett and Connell said they would like to go back to Tallahassee to be there for the moment.

“Hopefully the governor will sign it, and then we can appear between us and the rock family next year and Tallahasee is fighting again for stricter laws,” said Millet.

What's next:

If the law was passed, the law would come into force on July 1st.

Stay connected to Fox 35 Orlando:

Volusia Countycrime and Public Safetyfloridadelandpets and Animals