Dog owners would face stiffer penalties for attacks by their pets under legislation supported by a top Alabama House Republican.
Majority Leader Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainesville) announced Monday he would introduce a bill to crack down on irresponsible dog owners.
“Ultimately, dog owners are responsible for any damage, injuries, or even deaths that their animals inflict, and I believe increasing the criminal penalties for such incidents will lessen their frequency and occurrence,” he said in a statement. “By bringing together the legislators and district attorneys from the areas in which recent attacks have taken place, I am confident we can craft a bill that protects the public and encourages owners to prevent their animals from doing harm.”
The bill comes after a series of recent violent dog attacks that have resulted in deaths and serious injuries in northern Alabama. Ledbetter participated in a study group that included state Sen. Steve Livingston (R-Scottsboro), state Rep. Tommy Hanes (R-Scottsboro), DeKalb County District Attorney Mike O’Dell and Jackson County District Attorney Jason Pierce.
Recent dog attacks include:
- An attack in early December in which a Jackson County woman died and another suffered serious injuries when five pit bulls attacked. A sheriff’s deputy shot one of the dogs, and authorities took the other four into custody.
- An attack in November in which four dogs in Marshall County killed a Guntersville woman and seriously injured another.
Ledbetter indicated that 57 people in the United States and Canada died during dog attacks last year, up from the previous record of 46 set in 2015. Another 645 people suffered disfigurement in dog attacks last year.
Ledbetter did not specify the specific penalties he will propose when he introduces the bill. Current law mentions “dangerous and vicious animals” but does not define the terms. Anyone keeping dangerous or vicious animals through negligent management is liable to anyone whose suffers injure or sustained property damage, according to the code.
According to a 2015 report by Michigan State University’s Animal Legal and Historical Center, 39 states and several municipalities have dangerous dog codes. Some allow for the euthanasia of the dog. Dog owners face criminal penalties in some states, as well. Euthanasia is mandatory in 18 states, while 27 states give discretion to the body responsible for adjudicating violations.
Alabama law does not specifically provide for euthanasia.
Penalties for owners range from fines to bans on dog ownership to imprisonment. Owning dangerous dogs is a felony in 13 states.
The report estimated that some 5 million Americans suffer dog bites each year and that 800,000 are serious enough to require medical attention. It is one of the most common reasons for emergency room visits by children, the report states.
Brendan Kirby is senior political reporter at LifeZette.com and a Yellowhammer contributor. He also is the author of “Wicked Mobile.” Follow him on Twitter.
