DELAND, Fla. – Tuesday marks one year since 8-year-old Michael Millet was tragically killed by two dogs in the DeLand area.
Michael was riding his bike near his home when the attack happened, shocking the community and prompting tougher laws for dangerous dogs locally and statewide. Now, News 6 found those laws are starting to catch up with dangerous dog owners.
Currently, there are 16 dogs officially labeled as dangerous in unincorporated Volusia County. After Michael’s death, the rules became stricter. Dog owners now face higher costs and tougher requirements to keep everyone safe. Many owners have just a few months left to meet these new standards.
[WATCH: Previous coverage of dangerous dog bill in Florida]
On Jan. 13, 2025, Michael was riding his bike in his neighborhood when two dogs ran out from a nearby property and attacked him.
Michael’s mother shared a heartfelt statement on the anniversary of her son’s death:
One year ago, my son Michael Millett was taken from us. He was a child. He was my child. He didn’t deserve this. Our lives shattered. I don’t think there is any greater pain for a parent than losing a child. Not a day goes by that I don’t feel the emptiness, the grief, the pain of a future stolen from him and from us. Michael’s laughter, his hugs, his life mattered. I speak today so the world doesn’t forget him. If we act like the death of a child is normal, no one is safe. Michael will always be remembered. Forever my son. Forever Michael’s mom. For the criminal case I want it known that I do not support a plea deal for the dogs’ owners. I believe they should be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Given the severity of what occurred, the fact that they are not being charged with culpable negligence already feels like an unjustly lenient outcome.
Michael's mother
Investigators said charging the dog owners was difficult because there were no previous complaints, even though neighbors reported the dogs often got loose and attacked other animals.
Law enforcement urges everyone to report any trouble with dogs immediately so they can be checked and, if necessary, labeled “dangerous.”
[SEE PREVIOUS COVERAGE BELOW]
Now, if a dog is labeled dangerous, a new state law, supported by Michael’s family, increases penalties for owners if their dogs attack someone.
Volusia County also passed a rule requiring owners of dangerous dogs to carry $500,000 in insurance, a measure pushed by County Councilman David Santiago.
“We’re very limited based on state law and I think this law right now is kind of working, so time will tell. Hopefully we never have an incident with what happened to Michael, but we want to send a clear message: you want to be in Volusia County and have a dangerous dog? It’s going to cost you,” Santiago said.
The 16 dog owners in unincorporated Volusia on the county’s public list must register their dogs every year based on when they were classified as dangerous.
Registration includes showing proof of insurance, and several owners have deadlines coming up in the next two months.
“One person has registered under the new ordinance and that person ultimately, I’ve learned, has actually euthanized their own dogs because they’ve been aggressive to other people,” Santiago said.
The dogs that attacked Michael were euthanized shortly after the attack. Their owners were charged with tampering with evidence for deleting social media messages about the attack. They are expected in court later this month, with a trial tentatively set for Feb. 17.
[WATCH BELOW: Bodycam video shows arrest of dog owner in deadly DeLand attack]
The owners of “dangerous dogs” in cities and incorporated municipalities of Volusia County do not have to have the insurance policy but still must register their dog with the city.
News 6 reached out to several municipalities to ask how many “dangerous dogs” are in their borders and so far have been told there are two in New Smyrna Beach, six in Port Orange, one in Ormond Beach, and two in DeLand. There are none in DeBary or Orange City.