Woman, 72, Killed in Apparent Dog Attack in Miami Gardens: Legal Considerations for Families After a Tragedy

The Miami Gardens community is mourning the devastating loss of 72-year-old Doreen Broadbelt, who was killed in an apparent dog attack on Monday morning. According to the Miami Gardens Police Department, officers responded to the area of Northwest 14th Court and Northwest 196th Terrace around 7:30 a.m. after receiving a report of an unresponsive woman.

When officers arrived, they discovered Ms. Broadbelt with multiple severe dog bite injuries. Despite emergency efforts, Miami-Dade Fire Rescue pronounced her dead at the scene.

Family and friends described her as a kind woman who walked to work at Walmart every morning. They also noted that she carried a stick on her walks due to repeated encounters with the same dogs believed to be responsible for the attack.

Fatal dog attacks, though relatively rare, highlight serious concerns about owner responsibility and community safety. Neighbors in Miami Gardens reported that dogs have frequently roamed the area, creating hazards for residents, including children walking to school.

Under Florida law, owners are strictly liable for injuries caused by their dogs, regardless of the animal’s prior behavior. Tragically, in this case, family members indicated this was not the first time Ms. Broadbelt had been threatened by these animals, raising questions of preventable negligence.

Florida Law on Dog Bite Liability

Florida has one of the strongest dog bite liability statutes in the country. Under Florida Statute § 767.04, a dog owner is responsible when their dog bites or attacks someone in a public place or lawfully on private property, regardless of whether the dog has ever shown aggression before.

In a case resulting in wrongful death, the statute allows the victim’s surviving family members to bring a claim for damages.

Damages may include:

• Medical expenses (if the victim received treatment before passing)
• Funeral and burial costs
• Loss of companionship, guidance, and protection
• Mental pain and suffering of surviving family members

If the dogs in this case are proven to have owners, civil liability could extend to them, even if they were not present at the time of the attack.

Under the Florida Wrongful Death Act (Fla. Stat. §§ 768.16–768.26), certain family members — such as a surviving spouse, children, or dependent relatives — may bring a wrongful death lawsuit when negligence or unlawful conduct causes a fatality.

For a fatal dog attack, a wrongful death claim may be based on:

• Strict liability of the dog’s owner under § 767.04
• Negligence for failing to secure the animal, especially if the dog had escaped before or displayed aggressive behavior
• Premises liability, if a landlord or property owner knew dangerous animals were being kept on their property but failed to act

In some cases, responsibility may extend beyond the dog’s owner:

• Landlords or property managers may be liable if they knew tenants kept dangerous dogs and failed to enforce rules or remove them.
• Municipal negligence may also be considered if stray dogs were known in the area and not properly addressed.

Neighbors expressed concern that this tragedy could have been prevented. Reports indicate that loose dogs had been spotted many times in the area, and some residents admitted they were afraid to leave their cars or walk in the neighborhood.

These warnings underscore the importance of responsible pet ownership and community enforcement. Failure to restrain or secure aggressive dogs creates foreseeable risks — risks that tragically became reality for Ms. Broadbelt and her family.

The family of Doreen Broadbelt may have legal rights to pursue compensation and accountability through a wrongful death lawsuit. While no amount of money can replace the loss of a loved one, a civil claim can:

• Hold negligent parties accountable
• Provide financial support for surviving family members
• Pressure landlords, dog owners, and communities to enforce safety measures to prevent future tragedies

At Flanagan & Bodenheimer Injury & Wrongful Death Law Firm, we represent families across Florida who have lost loved ones due to dog attacks, negligent property owners, and other preventable tragedies. Our attorneys understand the deep emotional and financial toll these cases bring and work tirelessly to ensure families receive justice.

Call us today at 305-638-4143 for a free, confidential consultation. We never charge fees unless we win compensation for you.