Contact us
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33 4th Street North Suite 205
St. Petersburg, FL. 33701 - info@goodwin-firm.com
- 727-316-5333
- Mon-Thu: 9 am – 5 pm
- Fri: 9 am – Noon
Has someone threatened to sue you because your dog bit them? Finding an experienced dog bite defense attorney in Pinellas County is the first step to defending your family, your assets, and your pet.
When a neighbor, stranger, or even a friend files a dog bite claim, the stress can feel overwhelming. You might face strict enforcement from Pinellas County Animal Services or receive a formal summons from the Sixth Judicial Circuit Court. Personal injury lawyers often target a dog’s owner to collect massive payouts for medical bills and lost wages.
We stand by your side to build a strong legal defense. Dog bite claims are rarely as simple as they’re first presented, and we work hard to make the court see the whole picture.
We understand how much you care about your pet, and we are dedicated to fighting for your rights during this difficult time.
Most personal injury lawyers only represent dog bite victims who want compensation for pain and suffering or medical treatment. The Goodwin Firm is different. We stand out as one of the very few boutique law firms in Florida specializing in pet law.
Your dog is a member of your family. To the county, she’s a public safety file. To the plaintiff’s lawyer, she’s a claim, and if no insurer is standing behind you, the money comes from you.
Florida’s dog bite statute looks simple. It’s not. Our attorneys have the experience and knowledge necessary to apply the nuances of the law to the unique facts of your case.
To most law firms, a dog bite case is a novelty. To us, it’s a Tuesday. We know how these claims get built, what the other side will try, and where the weak points usually are.
We represent dog owners, landlords, and pet professionals across the entire Tampa Bay region. Our firm serves clients in St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, Palm Harbor, Tarpon Springs, Pinellas Park, Dunedin, and Safety Harbor.
If you need a dog bite defense attorney in Tampa Bay, we can help. We assist clients in these surrounding neighborhoods to build a strong defense against an unfair dog bite case.
Our Targeted Services Include:
Civil Suit Dog Bite Defense
We defend a dog's owner against civil lawsuits seeking compensation for medical treatment, medical bills, and lost wages.
Dangerous Dog Classification Defense
We challenge local animal control citations and classifications that threaten your dog's life.
Florida Strict Liability Defense
We apply statutory exceptions to the strict liability rule, for example, when a victim is trespassing or provokes the animal.
HOA and Landlord Pet Disputes
We resolve conflicts with property managers or neighborhood associations after an alleged incident.
Schedule Your Consultation
You talk directly with an experienced attorney for dog bite defense to share the unique details of your situation.
Build Your Defense Strategy
We analyze the medical care records, gather witness statements, and review local animal control reports to find weaknesses in the plaintiff's claim.
Defend Your Family and Pet
Your dog bite lawyer represents you in court or during settlement negotiations to defend your rights and assets.
The Goodwin Firm brings a unique, empathetic, and highly specialized approach to animal law across Florida. We know that legal disputes involving your pets cause deep emotional distress. We keep our caseload small enough that we know your dog’s name. You’ll get answers when you need them, in plain language, from the people actually doing the work.
We stand up to aggressive personal injury lawyers and work to protect your rights and your peace of mind.
When a person is bitten by a dog in Florida, Florida Statute Section 767.04 establishes strict liability for the dog’s owner. This means you can be held legally responsible even if your dog has never shown aggression before.
Florida does not use a traditional “one bite rule.” However, the law reduces the owner’s liability if the victim’s own negligence caused or contributed to the incident.
Yes. An experienced dog bite attorney can use several effective legal defenses. Florida law requires strict liability, but it isn’t absolute. Whether the person bitten was lawfully on the property, whether the dog was provoked, and the person’s own negligence all matter, and depending on the facts, they may reduce your liability or defeat the claim entirely.
Florida Law provides a defense where the owner has displayed an easily readable “Bad Dog” sign in a prominent place on the premises and the bite happened there. The defense does not apply if the person bitten is under six years old, or if the owner’s own negligence caused the injury. Whether it helps in your case depends on the specific facts.
Contact a defense attorney for dog bite cases immediately. Do not give statements to the victim’s injury lawyer or insurance company without legal representation.
Gather your pet’s veterinary records, take photos of your property, and secure any video footage of the incident.
Many homeowners policies cover dog bite claims, and if yours does, your insurer will typically appoint a lawyer to defend you at no cost. Some policies exclude specific breeds, and some carriers deny or reserve rights. If your insurer won’t defend you, or your exposure runs past your limits, that’s when you need your own lawyer.
Local officials investigate reported incidents to determine whether the animal poses a safety risk to the public. A “dangerous dog” classification is not just a label; it can require a secure enclosure, muzzling and leashing in public, warning signage, registration fees, insurance, and sterilization. In the most serious cases or for repeat violations, the county may seek to have the dog euthanized.
Dog owners have the right to contest the classification at an administrative hearing. The deadline to request one is short and strictly enforced. Miss it, and the classification stands, with no hearing and no appeal.