Senate gets bill penalizing owners when dogs kill
Print
Email
Save
Reprints
Twitter
Share
Del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Reddit
The father of a Morganza child mauled to death by boxers asked lawmakers Tuesday to crack down on dog owners.
“It’s no accident,” Robert Landry told the state Senate Committee on Judiciary B. “Dogs like this know what they’re doing, and it’s people’s responsibility.”
House Bill 155, which was approved without objection, would include injury or death caused by dogs in the definition of negligent injuring and homicide when the owner is criminally negligent in confining or restraining the dog.
The maximum penalties when the victim dies would be five years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
“We’re seeing a lot of maulings and, increasingly now, deaths,” said state Sen. Elbert Guillory, D-Opelousas.
The bill would exclude law enforcement dogs, guide dogs and attacks by livestock.
Four-year-old Michael Blaise Landry died in April after three boxers escaped their pens and attacked him.
A grand jury later decided the death did not rise to the level of a grossly negligent act.
Last year, three pit bull terriers mauled 83-year-old Luna McDaniel, of Ville Platte. She died from her injuries.
Her granddaughter, Shannon McDaniel, told the committee that most people are unwilling to take responsibility for their animals.
Pete Adams, executive director of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association, said criminal negligence exists when there is a disregard for others.
HB155 next heads to the Senate floor for final approval.
 | ||||
| Most Popular | Most Emailed | Hot Topics | ||
