Florida legislators are considering a bill to regulate "dangerous dogs."

The controversial bill advancing in the Florida Senate could implement stricter laws on pit bull owners and other "dangerous breeds," and the idea has many dog owners protesting the legislation.

The legislation already passed the Community Affairs Committee by a 9-2 vote.

The bill would get rid of a 1990 Florida law banning regulations on breed-specific dogs, meaning it would stop short of an outright ban on specific breeds. Ultimately, however, the proposed law could make it more expensive to own a pit bull.

Cities and counties could require owners to carry extra insurance to pay for attacks, keep certain breeds constrained by a muzzle in public or sign up for ownership training classes.

Warren Cox, who works for the SPCA in Polk County, said breed-specific laws don't work.

"If you look at this little dog beside me, a Chihuahua, they do a lot of biting too," Cox said. "But they're not considered necessarily a dangerous dog."

Cox said at the SPCA each dog's safety is judged by his or her own demeanor.

"We've got to have responsible pet owners taking care of their pets at all times, so we don't have to come up with this type of legislation," Cox said.

This bill isn't the first time a ban has been considered. Similar bills were proposed in the past two legislative sessions, but didn't pass.

Nationwide, only Ohio enforces a statewide ban on any pit bull breed. However, several hundred local governments around the country have breed restrictions in place.

Only one county in Florida has breed restrictions, Miami-Dade County.