Mark Roman | February 2, 2023 | Florida Law
You may be curious as to whether wolf hybrids can be legally owned in Florida, and the answer is yes. There are ways to legally own an animal that is a wolf hybrid.
However, if you are wondering whether you can own a wolf hybrid as a pet, then the answer is no. Wolf hybrids are considered captive wildlife, which means you can’t own them as a pet anymore than you could own a crocodile as one.
Captive Wildlife Regulations
Captive wildlife regulations apply to zoos or animal preserves. If you want to own a wolf hybrid, you need to acquire a specific license — which is only given to people or organizations that have a legitimate reason to own a wolf hybrid — to keep it.
If you are caught owning a wolf hybrid, you could face criminal charges. If a wolf hybrid that you own bites someone, you could end up paying extensive damages to the victim.
Florida Dog Bite Laws
Dog bite laws in Florida are pretty simple. Unless your dog was intentionally provoked, you are responsible for all medical costs resulting from a dog bite. However, these laws assume that you own a legal dog.
If you keep a breed of dog as a pet that isn’t legal to own in Florida, you will likely be liable for the bite, even if the dog was provoked. Thus, by owning a wolf hybrid, you are putting yourself in a dangerous spot concerning liability.
Dog Bite Injuries
Dogs, despite their status as “Man’s Best Friend,” are still natural predators, and they have strong jaws designed for ripping and tearing. Even if a dog only nips someone, it can potentially deal significant damage.
Many dogs are powerful enough to crack bones, even in fully-grown adults, and should they get extremely aggressive, a dog’s bite can cause injuries that include:
- Shattered bones
- Torn muscles or ligaments
- Scarring
- Puncture wounds
Dogs are also prone to often carry infectious diseases that can be passed along to humans when their saliva enters the bloodstream as a result of a bite. The worst of these is rabies, but there are plenty of dangerous diseases you can catch from a dog bite.
Children and Dogs
Children are the most at risk of being bitten by dogs. Children tend to move quickly and want to interact with everything they see, and some dogs take these sudden movements or attempts to pet as aggressive reactions and respond accordingly.
Furthermore, children are smaller and naturally don’t have bodies as well-developed as adults, so when a child suffers an attack by a dog, there is a much higher probability of an injury to the neck or head.
Regardless of where the dog bites the child, weaker bones and softer skin mean dog bites to children usually result in more severe injuries than a similar bite would cause for an adult, and children are more likely than adults to need surgery and have lifelong injuries as a result.
What to Do If You Are Bitten By a Wolf Hybrid
You won’t care much about the legality of the dog if a wolf hybrid bites you. You will only care about how serious the injury is. Typically, you should seek medical attention immediately after a dog bite and get the contact information of the dog’s owner.
If you get bit by a wolf hybrid or another dog, the dog owner may be strictly liable for your medical bills and other damages.
Contact our experienced dog bite lawyers to learn more about your rights.
Contact the Clearwater Dog Bite Law Firm of Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
For more information, please contact the legal team of Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers for a free initial consultation with a Dog Bite lawyer in Clearwater. We have four convenient locations in Florida: Clearwater, New Port Richey, and Tampa.
We serve throughout Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, Pasco County, and its surrounding areas:
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Clearwater Office
1811 N. Belcher Road, Suite I-1
Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 787-2500
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Congress Ave Office
2360 Congress Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33763
(727) 591-5610
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Tampa Office
6601 Memorial Hwy Suite 202
Tampa, FL 33615
(813) 686-7588
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – New Port Richey Office
2515 Seven Springs Blvd.
New Port Richey, FL, 34655
(727) 815-8442