Introduced
by
To require a court that receives a sworn complaint that a dog is dangerous as defined by the bill to issue a summons ordering the owner to appear to show cause why the dog should not be declared a dangerous dog. If the dog poses an immediate threat to public safety the court would have to order it impounded at the owners expense until a hearing and decision is made. If the court agrees the dog is dangerous the owner would have get it spayed or neutered, obtain a special permit, notify the Post Office and utilities, disclose it to veterinarians and other animal service providers that deal with the dog, post signs, get insurance, keep the dog in a securely fenced yard from which it can’t escape and children can’t get in, and more. When off the property the dog must be under the control of a responsible adult on a leash not longer than six feet. Violations would be a crime subject to four years in prison, and if the dog still attacks a person or animal after all that it would have to euthanized.
Referred to the Committee on Agriculture
