Rottweilerlvr
03-01-2007, 05:10 AM
Lawmaker Speaks About Dog Attacks
POSTED: 10:05 pm MST February 25, 2007
-- Three people are still recovering after being attacked Saturday by two pitbulls at the Camino Real Apartments on Yarbrough Drive and Medwood Drive.
George Lomuscio, who's been living at the complex for three years said this is the first time he's seen dogs running loose through the complex. He said most people who have dogs, keep them on a leash.
"I don't think it's an ongoing problem. Like I said, I think it's a one time incident that happened and thank God police were able to take care of these dogs," said Lomuscio.
Police shot and killed one of the dogs. The other one was captured and taken to Animal Control.
The pair of pitbulls attacked a 65 year old man, and two girls ages five and ten.
Senator Eliot Shapleigh, who's been pushing for stronger penalties against owners of visciuos dogs is hoping this serves as a wake-up call that new legislation needs to be passed. He's among several lawmakers working the change Texas first bite rule.
"In this bill the owner would be charged a $10,000 fine if the dog delivers serious injuries, unprovoked, outside their premises. There would be a criminal liability too depending on what the jury decides is the punishment. All this would go to a jury, and then proceed like almost any other trial," said Shapleigh.
Texas's first bite rule allows every dog "one free bite" before the owner is held accountable.
"This has happened all over the state. What's happened is pit bulls are attacking people," said Shapleigh.
Under Shapleigh's proposal dog owners will not be held responsible if the attack happens in the owner's backyard, or if the attack comes from a small dog not considered dangerous.
A deadly dog attack could mean a third degree felony for the owner.
Shapleigh expects his proposal and others filed to be heard in the next three weeks, and new legislation to pass later this year.
http://www.kfoxtv.com/news/11110027/detail.html
POSTED: 10:05 pm MST February 25, 2007
-- Three people are still recovering after being attacked Saturday by two pitbulls at the Camino Real Apartments on Yarbrough Drive and Medwood Drive.
George Lomuscio, who's been living at the complex for three years said this is the first time he's seen dogs running loose through the complex. He said most people who have dogs, keep them on a leash.
"I don't think it's an ongoing problem. Like I said, I think it's a one time incident that happened and thank God police were able to take care of these dogs," said Lomuscio.
Police shot and killed one of the dogs. The other one was captured and taken to Animal Control.
The pair of pitbulls attacked a 65 year old man, and two girls ages five and ten.
Senator Eliot Shapleigh, who's been pushing for stronger penalties against owners of visciuos dogs is hoping this serves as a wake-up call that new legislation needs to be passed. He's among several lawmakers working the change Texas first bite rule.
"In this bill the owner would be charged a $10,000 fine if the dog delivers serious injuries, unprovoked, outside their premises. There would be a criminal liability too depending on what the jury decides is the punishment. All this would go to a jury, and then proceed like almost any other trial," said Shapleigh.
Texas's first bite rule allows every dog "one free bite" before the owner is held accountable.
"This has happened all over the state. What's happened is pit bulls are attacking people," said Shapleigh.
Under Shapleigh's proposal dog owners will not be held responsible if the attack happens in the owner's backyard, or if the attack comes from a small dog not considered dangerous.
A deadly dog attack could mean a third degree felony for the owner.
Shapleigh expects his proposal and others filed to be heard in the next three weeks, and new legislation to pass later this year.
http://www.kfoxtv.com/news/11110027/detail.html