Can a dog owner be held accountable for personal injuries to others if attacked? Yes. Under Florida law, a dog owner is liable for injuries their dog causes almost regardless of the dog’s prior behavior — a rule called strict liability. That statute is at the center of an attack Broward County deputies are investigating in Dania Beach, where two Belgian Malinois dog attacked a baby and her mother, according to Local10. If your family has been hurt by someone else’s dog, a Florida dog bite lawyer can explain your options — call 888-PERAZZO or start a free case evaluation with a Dog Attack Lawyer in Miami.
What happened in Dania Beach
The attack happened Friday evening, September 18, 2026, around 6:30 p.m. at an apartment complex near Southwest 28th Avenue and Griffin Road in Dania Beach, Florida, according to Local10. Two Belgian Malinois attacked a baby and her mother, hurt while shielding her child, and the baby remains in the ICU, Local10 reports.
The dogs belonged to the mother’s fiancé, not either victim, Broward County Animal Care officials told Local10; the officials say they tried to reach him Friday evening, but he did not return to the scene. Both dogs were confiscated Saturday and are now at the shelter while officials review their history, per Local10. Deputies’ investigation remains open, and Local10 reports no charges have been announced. Dealing with dog bites is fundamental after an animal attack.
Florida’s dog bite law: strict liability, explained
Florida does not follow a “one free bite” rule. Under Fla. Stat. § 767.04, “the owner of any dog that bites any person while such person is on or in a public place, or lawfully on or in a private place, including the property of the owner of the dog, is liable for damages suffered by persons bitten, regardless of the former viciousness of the dog or the owners’ knowledge of such viciousness.”
An injured family does not have to prove the dog bit someone before, or that the owner ignored warning signs — lawful presence plus a bite is generally enough. Here, liability would run against the fiancé as the dog’s actual owner, not the victims. That matters for recovery: homeowner’s or renter’s insurance often covers this claim, which our dog bite insurance coverage guide explains further.
The comparative-negligence clause
Section 767.04 also has its own fault-sharing rule, separate from Florida’s general comparative negligence statute: “any negligence on the part of the person bitten that is a proximate cause of the biting incident reduces the liability of the owner of the dog by the percentage that the bitten person’s negligence contributed to the biting incident.” If the bitten person’s own conduct contributed to the attack, recovery can be reduced by that percentage — but the owner carries the burden of proving it.
The “Bad Dog” sign exception
An owner can sometimes avoid strict liability by posting a prominent “Bad Dog” sign, unless the owner’s own negligence caused the injury. Florida law also protects the youngest victims: that defense is unavailable when the person bitten is a child under 6. Neither a sign nor the child’s age has been reported in the Dania Beach case.
What to do after a dog attack
- Get medical care first and keep every record.
- Ask animal control for the incident report number.
- Don’t sign anything from an insurance adjuster first.
- Photograph injuries and the scene.
Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome, and every case turns on its own facts. An experienced dog bite attorney can help you identify the applicable policy and pursue a claim. Call 888-PERAZZO or request a free case evaluation — no attorney’s fee unless we recover for you.
FAQ
Do I have to prove the dog bit someone before?
No. Under Fla. Stat. § 767.04, liability applies regardless of the dog’s history or the owner’s knowledge of it.
What if the dog’s owner isn’t the victim’s family member?
Liability follows the dog’s owner, not whoever was present — often through that owner’s homeowner’s or renter’s insurance.
Can a “Bad Dog” sign protect the owner?
Sometimes, but not if the owner’s own negligence caused the injury, and never when the person bitten is a child under 6.
Dog Attack Lawyer in Miami Advertising. This information is for general educational purposes and is not legal advice; it does not create an attorney-client relationship. The Perazzo Law Firm maintains bona fide offices in North Miami Beach, Florida, and Atlanta, Georgia. Jonathan Perazzo, Esq. is the attorney responsible for this content. Past results do not guarantee a similar outcome.