- Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood testified before Florida lawmakers on Wednesday in support of the Pam Rock Act, named after a mail carrier killed in a 2022 dog attack.
'Michael never had a chance’
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood traveled to Tallahassee to advocate for the Pam Rock Act, a proposed bill aimed at strengthening regulations on dangerous dogs.
Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood speaks before the Florida House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee in support of the Pam Rock Act, March 19, 2025. His testimony before the Florida House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee was in honor of 8-year-old Michael Millett III, who was fatally attacked by a pack of dogs earlier this year.
Warning: Viewer discretion is advised. The bodycam video released by the Volusia Sheriff's Office shows deputies and first responders arriving on scene for reports of a boy being attacked by dogs. That boy, 8, later died. The video shows deputies chasing the dogs back to their reported home. It does not show the alleged attack or the victim. The bill, named after a mail carrier who was killed in a similar attack in 2022, seeks to enhance public safety through stricter confinement rules, mandatory reporting, and a statewide registry for dangerous dogs. It passed the subcommittee with unanimous support, 16-0. It remains unclear whether the proposed legislation will face any significant opposition. Questions also remain about how enforcement will be handled at the local level and whether funding will be allocated for implementation. Additionally, there is no current estimate on how many dangerous dogs in Florida would be immediately affected by the proposed regulations. The Pam Rock Act is named after a Putnam County mail carrier who was fatally mauled by a pack of dogs in 2022. Her brothers attended the subcommittee hearing to advocate for the legislation. Sheriff Chitwood’s involvement stems from his commitment to seeking justice for Michael Millett III, who was killed in a similar attack. His firsthand experience witnessing the aftermath of Michael’s death has fueled his call for reform, particularly in holding negligent dog owners accountable.
What is the Pam Rock Act?
If passed, Florida would join other states in implementing a statewide dangerous dog registry and enforcing stricter penalties for owners of aggressive dogs. The bill is currently moving through the Florida Legislature. It has passed the House Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee and will now proceed to additional committee reviews before potentially reaching the full House and Senate for a vote. If approved, it would become law after being signed by the governor. Sheriff Mike Chitwood made an emotional plea during the hearing, emphasizing the brutality of Michael Millett III’s death. "Michael's death is senseless. It's absolutely senseless," he said. "I have never been to an autopsy where I’ve seen such massive, massive sustained damage — Michael never had a chance." He also stressed the importance of protecting both the public and responsible pet owners. "I think it's incumbent upon all of us to do our best to try to protect our children, our mail carriers, folks who are being brutally attacked by these animals and, at the same token, respect the rights of legitimate dog owners." After the subcommittee vote, he reiterated his support for the bill. "I joined Michael’s loving father to speak up in favor of legislation that we hope will help prevent this from happening to another family."
