JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — First Coast lawmaker Representative Billy Payne wants tougher penalties for owners of dangerous dogs, along with a statewide registry.
It comes in response to a deadly dog attack in Putnam County last year.
While delivering mail, 61-year-old, postal worker Pamela Rock, was attacked and killed by several dogs.
The bill said dogs subject to certain dangerous dog investigations have to be confiscated and held until the completion of certain actions.
It also says a dangerous dog registry will be created to keep track of dangerous dog incidents.
Jim Crosby, a dangerous dog incident investigator, said the registry is a great idea.
"Dog bites across the United States are very poorly documented. In fact, that's one of the things with my research position with Harvard that we're trying to do is to better gather data and information, especially on the cases I work being the most dangerous, in fact, killer dogs," Crosby said.
Crosby said he has some questions about the confiscation of dogs. He said he's concerned the bill will require authorities to take dogs before due process.
First Coast News reached out to representative Payne but has not heard back.
The state legislative session begins Jan. 9. If passed the bill will go into effect July 1.