Deltona City Council revises dangerous dog definition differing from state statute

The Special Magistrate Hearing held on March 26, 2025, in Deltona, Florida, focused on the city's ordinance regarding dangerous dogs, highlighting a significant distinction between local and state definitions.

The discussion began with a review of Section 14-1 of the Deltona ordinance, which outlines the classification of dangerous dogs. It was noted that the city’s definition differs from the Florida state statute. According to the state law, a dog is classified as dangerous if it has severely injured or killed a domestic animal more than once. In contrast, the Deltona ordinance states that a dog is considered dangerous if it has killed a domestic animal or has severely injured one more than once.

This key difference in wording—using "or" instead of "and"—was emphasized as the reason for adhering to the city ordinance. The participants acknowledged the implications of this distinction, which could affect how dangerous dog cases are handled within the city.

The meeting concluded with a clear understanding of the importance of the local ordinance in defining dangerous dogs, setting the stage for future discussions on enforcement and public safety measures related to dog ownership in Deltona.