(321) 242-7000
Dog bites can cause serious physical and emotional trauma, especially in family-friendly neighborhoods across Melbourne, Viera, Indialantic, and the Space Coast. Florida’s new Pam Rock Act (effective July 1, 2025) gives victims stronger tools to recover full compensation.
Florida recorded 1,532 dog bite-related insurance claims in 2023, the second-highest in the nation, with injuries and claims increasing steadily over the past decade. Simply put, our state has a large number of bites every year for various reasons. Florida is warm most of the year. People are outdoors and they bring their dogs with them. Sometimes these dogs are loose and decide to attack other animals (people included).
Then if you factor in that we have our own dog-friendly beach (Canova Beach) you can understand how a regular citizen could have a bad encounter with someone else’s dog. The first thing you will probably hear from the owner of that dog after the bite is “they’ve never done that before”. Great, thanks for letting me know.
Key 2025 Dog Attack Information in Brevard County:
- November 2025: A fatal dog attack occurred at Canova Park in Indian Harbour Beach, where two large dogs killed a chihuahua and bit its owners.
- July 2025: A woman reported she and her dog were attacked by an unleashed Great Dane at Canova Beach.
- Rabies Concerns: A rabies advisory was issued in February 2025 following animal exposures
What Is the Pam Rock Act?
Named after Pamela Jane Rock, a Florida postal worker tragically killed in 2022 by dogs with a known history of aggression, the Act tightens rules on “dangerous dogs.” It requires owners to take proactive steps and provides financial protections for victims.
Key provisions to this law are that it requires owners of any dog deemed to be dangerous to have a $100,000 liability insurance policy. It requires them to microchip their dog and to have strong enclosures for it. It imposes stricter penalties for those dog owners who fail to comply. This insurance must cover bodily injury and is often in addition to any homeowner’s policy.
Before this Act was passed, victims of dog attacks had a murky path to gaining compensation. If the dog owner didn’t have substantial funds or property, the victim was left out in the cold. This law aims to bolster their ability to be compensated.
If a dangerous dog bites you or a loved one in Melbourne, the owner’s required insurance policy becomes a key recovery source — even if their homeowner’s insurance denies the claim or has exclusions.
Steps to Take After a Dog Bite in Melbourne
- Seek immediate medical care — Document all injuries with photos and records.
- Report the incident to Brevard County Animal Control and local law enforcement.
- Preserve evidence — Get witness statements, photos of the scene, and the dog’s behavior.
- Contact an experienced injury attorney quickly — Florida’s two-year statute of limitations applies, and early investigation strengthens your case.
Most dogs are non-threatening and bring joy to their owners and neighbors. But the law of averages dictates that there are going to be bad dogs. It is incumbent on the owner of these dogs to protect the general public from them.
If you are a victim of a dog attack in Brevard County, please contact us at 321-242-7000 to get help with your case.