Best Dog Bite Attorneys in Pembroke Pines

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the non-emergency contact number for the local police station in Pembroke Pines, Florida?

  The local police station in Pembroke Pines can be contacted for non-emergency concerns at 954-764-HELP (4357).

• Where can I get a copy of police reports for incidents related to my case in Pembroke Pines, Florida?

  You can obtain a copy of the police report for your case in Pembroke Pines from the Records Section at 9500 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines, FL 33024. The reports are available for $0.15 per page, and you may need to allow five to 10 working days for processing. For inquiries, you can contact the Records Unit at 954-431-2709 or PPPDrecords@ppines.com.

• What are the legal responsibilities of dog owners in Pembroke Pines?

  In Pembroke Pines, a dog owner is legally accountable for any injury or damage if their dog bites a person or animal in an unprovoked attack, as per Section 91.15 of the Pembroke Pines Code of Ordinances. Under Florida state law, dog owners' liability extends to incidents occurring on both public property and their property, provided the victim was there lawfully. The owner must bear the costs of damages and medical expenses arising from the bite.

• What defines a dangerous dog in Pembroke Pines?

  In Pembroke Pines, a dog is considered dangerous if it has aggressively bitten or attacked a human, severely injured or killed a domestic animal more than once while off the owner's property, or unprovokedly chased or approached a person in a menacing way on public grounds. These actions must be confirmed by a sworn statement and investigated by the appropriate authority.

• Are pit bulls banned in Pembroke Pines?

  In Pembroke Pines, there's no unique ban targeting pit bulls. Still, a dog, regardless of breed, becomes classified as perilous after one assault. The municipality compels the enlistment of those dogs and demands that owners maintain responsibility coverage. This regulation, affecting every breed of dog, aims to make the person in-charge fully accountable for their pet's behavior.

• In Pembroke Pines, can minor dog owners be held liable for the damages caused by their pets?

  In Pembroke Pines, minor dog owners cannot be held directly liable for damages caused by their pets. Instead, the parent or guardian of the minor owner or keeper will be responsible for any damage to a person's body or property, except when the victim was trespassing, committing another tort, or teasing, tormenting, or abusing the dog. If the victim is a minor under seven, they are presumed not at fault, and the burden of proof lies with the defendant.

• In Pembroke Pines, what defenses might a dog owner raise against a dog bite claim?

  In Pembroke Pines, a dog owner can defend against a dog bite claim by proving the plaintiff was trespassing, indicating that the plaintiff's actions, like teasing, contributed to the incident, or by prominently displaying a "Bad Dog" sign, excluding victims under six or in cases of owner negligence. However, Florida enforces a strict liability rule, holding dog owners accountable for injuries, even without proving their negligence.