Please help us stop this idiot! Thanks, Pat Evans PLEASE CROSSPOST! For Immediate Release February 9, 2007 Contact: Margaret Patterson - (210) 826-7800 Dog bite bill would put a leash on irresponsible dog owners by Jeff Wentworth State Senator, District 25 In past legislative sessions, Texans I represent have had suggestions for new laws, and this session is no exception. On February 1, I filed Senate Bill 405 in response to a request from two sisters who came to my office after their 76 year-old sister, Lillian Lorraine Stiles, was attacked and killed by six mixed-breed dogs while riding her lawnmower in her own front yard. Because there is no leash law in the county where Mrs. Stiles was killed, the dogs' owner could not be held criminally liable for her death. Mrs. Stiles' sisters asked me to strengthen Texas' dog bite laws so that owners would be held responsible, and I promised them I would file a bill to do so. Currently, owners are responsible for their dog's actions only if they know the dog has previously bitten or attacked someone and has been determined to be a "dangerous dog." Senate Bill 405 would do away with the "one free bite" law. My bill would hold an owner criminally responsible if the owner's dog makes an unprovoked attack on a person that causes bodily injury. Anyone who is found guilty under the bill's provision would be held criminally liable, and the court would order the dog put down. Dog owners or anyone who is responsible for a dog must restrain their dog at all times on a leash or in a secure enclosure, according to the bill. There are provisions in the bill for animals being used as assistance dogs, search and rescue dogs or for law enforcement purposes, such as guard dogs or drug dogs, and for dogs playing in a designated dog park. Senate Bill 405 also takes into account veterinarians, peace officers, people employed in animal shelters or who deal with stray animals for a government entity. The bill is not breed specific. I don't care if a dog is a pit bull or a cocker spaniel; if it is dangerous and attacks and injures humans, the owner should be held responsible. While keeping a dog on a leash or within an enclosed area applies only to dog owners living in incorporated areas, those who live in unincorporated areas could be required to register their dogs with the county after the animals reach the age of six months. If a county adopts the registration policy as provided by the bill, dogs will be required to wear county-issued identification tags. Counties and/or cities may place additional requirements or restrictions on dogs as long they are not specific to one or to several breeds of dogs. Senate Bill 405 does not discourage dog ownership; however, it does encourage responsible dog ownership, and it fulfills a promise I made more than a year ago to two grieving sisters. --------------------------------- Want to start your own business? Learn how on Yahoo! Small Business. ============================================================================ POST is Copyrighted 2007. All material remains the property of the original author and of GSD Communication, Inc. NO REPRODUCTIONS or FORWARDS of any kind are permitted without prior permission of the original author AND of the Showgsd-l Management. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. ALL PERSONS ARE ON NOTICE THAT THE FORWARDING, REPRODUCTION OR USE IN ANY MANNER OF ANY MATERIAL WHICH APPEARS ON SHOWGSD-L WITHOUT THE EXPRESS PERMISSION OF ALL PARTIES TO THE POST AND THE LIST MANAGEMENT IS EXPRESSLY FORBIDDEN, AND IS A VIOLATION OF LAW. VIOLATORS OF THIS PROHIBITION WILL BE PROSECUTED. For assistance, please contact the List Management at admin@xxxxxxxxxxxx VISIT OUR WEBSITE - www.showgsd.org ============================================================================