This incident fell within 6 hours of the new dangerous dog law:
” Under Lillian’s Law, which was enacted this year and goes into effect today, the owner of a dangerous dog may face felony charges in one of two ways:
• A dog’s unprovoked attack away from its owner’s property kills someone, permanently disfigures a person or destroys or impairs a body part or organ. A previous attack by the dog isn’t required, but prosecutors must prove the owner was criminally negligent in failing to secure the animal – not heeding a ‘substantial and unjustifiable risk.’
• The owner knows the dog has previously injured someone or been deemed dangerous by authorities, and the dog makes an unprovoked attack outside its enclosure causing death or injury requiring hospitalization.
In either situation, the offense is a third-degree felony with punishment of two to 10 years in prison. In the case of a death, the charge is a second-degree felony, punishable by two to 20 years in prison. “
Perhaps, just perhaps, this law will make people think about not only the best breed (or mix) for them, but will encourage them to be more responsible as dog owners. While pit bulls may be a good choice for an experienced, responsible owner, they are too often obtained by the very people least equipped to raise them to be stable companions.
There is no such thing as a responsible owner and a pit bull! Everyday they own it they are betting their families live, and all the own, on it's not going to turn and kill or maim someone.
I wouldn't think that the law would have much impact on that type of owner.