Are Fort Lauderdale dog owners required to be more cautious if children live near the dog?

Children have a natural curiosity and do not always understand the danger. Because of this, adults owe a special duty of care when children are around, in a lot of different circumstances including protecting them from dog bites. The term “duty of care” refers to the way that a reasonable person would act in a similar set of circumstances.

In Florida, individuals are strictly liable for injuries that are incurred if their dog bites someone, with several exceptions to this strict liability, including if they placed a prominent sign near the area where the dog is kept that warns people that the dog is vicious. However, this exception does not apply to children under the age of six who likely are unable to either read or fully comprehend the sign. This is a special duty of care.