(ESCAMBIA COUNTY) --- A new Irresponsible Dog Owner draft ordinance is in effect.
The new law comes after extensive OpGov.News coverage over the past three months on dog attack victims Theresa Cavnar and Teri Bozeman.
Cavnar's name is familiar to thousands of Escambia County residents due to the vicious dog attack she suffered. Six OpGov.News reports on Cavnar and Bozeman have collectively garnered nearly 20k hits, proving public fear.
Cavnar's story is sometimes hard to believe, beginning with being told she had to submit paperwork while lying, torn open, in the hospital, to finding out her case was closed on Nextdoor. It has always been about changing laws to prevent her story from becoming someone else's tragic tale.
It happened on May 21, when the Escambia County Board of Commissioners recommended a new law in response to a request by Animal Welfare Director John Robinson, mentioned in all six OpGov.News reports.
(Photo: Escambia County Draft Ordinance dealing with dangerous dogs)
Part of the ordinance is the "creation of a new section 10-29 titled Irresponsible Dog Owner; and refining other animal welfare related items."
In the last few months, OpGov.News reached out to elected officials while Cavnar and Bozeman waited for a response, as dangerous animals continue to run wild.
Resident John Kidd told his own story at the May 21 meeting, telling commissioners about his experience with his neighbor's dog, who was commanded to "get him," and expressing concern about "positive voice control" in the leash law, which allows off-leash only if the dog is fully responsive to commands.
Ultimately, leniency in the law could harm vulnerable animals, according to Kidd.
The new ordinance, which calls out "Irresponsible Dog Owners," may address Kidd's concerns as read below.
"Chapter 10 be repealed and replaced to better fulfill its mission to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of citizens and companion animals in the community," according to the document.
"The draft Ordinance includes updates to definitions for shelter, dangerous dog, and direct control; modification of the disposition of animals; and incorporation of statutory dangerous dog requirements," the document continues.
"I am pleased to know these things are being addressed and we are moving forward to a greater responsibility required by dog owners in our community," Cavnar said.
(Photo: One of several wounds Canvar suffered, with more graphic pictures in the first of six reports)
When OpGov.News pointed out the ordinance to victim Bozeman: "I hope someone will do this and take action."
But both victims want more.
(Photo: Email correspondence between dog victim Teri Bozeman with pictures of her attack)
"I am looking for it to be established in Florida that anyone who chooses to own a dangerous dog breed must carry a minimum $100K insurance coverage for their dogs," Cavnar said. "If they cannot afford the insurance, then they, by law, should not be able to own that breed of dog."
Bozeman, a flight attendant who now has work limitations, is also left with medical conditions and expenses from her attack two years ago, when the Dixon Lane Holland family dog mauled her.
Commissioners did say they will address the escalating need for a new, larger animal shelter, acknowledging capacity issues and community distress.
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