Personal property rights should also be food for thought for lawmakers.
True, but many personal property rights are limited by law and many of the limitations pertain to public safety.
In many if not the majority of cases like this, the owner is as much responsible as the animal. If laws were enacted that make the owner responsible for the actions of their pets, I believe people would take the responsibility of owning one much more seriously.
It is a pathetic thing that in this day and age we have hundreds of people a year in our country being killed and maimed by so-called pets.
You are confusing "property rights" with "liability"
The victim could have easily been a meter reader from a utility company or a kid merely chasing a ball onto the front yard. The liability is still the same for the owner.
The real question here is the owner criminally responsible for the man's death?
"Did the dogs previously escape from the feeble gate?"
"Any previous complaints about the dogs viciousness?"
"Was the maintenance man invited or is this just a CYA story?"
"Did she know Pit Bulls lead in human fatalities and failed to secure them properly?"
A few Yesses and she's looking at potential Manslaughter charges.
Oh... My condolences to the victim, since it was never mentioned.