2 dog walkers available in Plantation
| Service | Typical range (USD) |
|---|---|
| 30-minute solo walk | $20–$30 |
| 60-minute solo walk | $30–$45 |
| Group walk | $16–$25 |
| Drop-in visit | $20–$32 |
| Overnight sit | $55–$95 |
These are national guideline ranges — local rates in Plantation vary with solo vs group walks, peak after-work times, and the number of dogs.
Treat the meet-and-greet like an interview. Ask to see proof of insurance and any pet first-aid certification, ask for two client references you can actually call, and confirm how keys are handled (a written key agreement is the professional standard). Watch how the walker greets your dog — a good one gets low and lets the dog approach. Agree in writing on the exact service, rate, cancellation policy, and the emergency plan (which vet, who they call).
Florida is a strict-liability state — and its statute defines "owner" to include anyone with custody or control of the dog, so strict liability can attach to a walker or sitter.
These state-level rules apply across Florida; the local rules that govern day-to-day walking are on the Local bylaws tab.
Florida (Fla. Stat. § 767.04) is one of the most victim-favorable dog-bite states: an owner is strictly liable for a bite in a public place or when the victim is lawfully on private property — no prior bite and no knowledge required, and breed is no defense. Lawful presence includes mail carriers, delivery, and invited guests. Under § 767.01, strict liability also covers non-bite injuries — a dog that knocks someone down. Critically, § 767.11 defines owner as a person who possessed, harbored, kept, or had control or custody of the dog — so a walker or sitter who has the dog can be the statutory owner for strict-liability purposes.
The quirky Bad Dog sign defense (§ 767.04): a prominent, readable Bad Dog sign can bar liability on the owner's premises — but not if the victim is under 6 years old, and not where the owner's negligence contributed. It does not help on a public walk.
There is no statewide leash law — leash rules are local (for example, Miami-Dade Chapter 5 requires a leash or control off the property, and a violation is negligence per se). A dog classified dangerous (§§ 767.11–767.13) by local animal control must be kept in a secure enclosure with a dangerous-dog sign, muzzled and leashed off-property, and carry $100,000 insurance.
Florida applies modified comparative negligence with a 50% bar (HB 837 / § 768.81) — recovery is reduced by the victim's fault and barred above 50%; provocation and trespass fold in here. The personal-injury limit is two years for incidents on or after March 24, 2023 (older incidents, four years).