Is a dog owner automatically liable if their dog bites me in Florida?

Florida has a strict liability dog bite statute. A dog owner is generally liable for bite injuries to a person in a public place or lawfully on private property, even if the dog never bit anyone before. There are exceptions and defenses. An owner may avoid liability in some cases if a prominent “Bad Dog” sign was displayed (this defense does not apply to children under 6). Your damages can also be reduced if your own negligence, such as provoking the dog, contributed to the bite. Get medical care, report the bite to Sarasota County Animal Services, and get the owner’s information.