Below is a model of a set of laws devised by dog owners, for dog owners. It can be used as suggestions, or it can be
modified to suit the local laws, any part or all of it can be a starting point to help reel in irresponsible dog owners. Instead
of putting dogs on a dangerous list, the dog owner should be placed on probation for reckless endangerment to the public.
No dog will ever have the capacity to be attendant to any law that is ever written.
Putting the public at risk should
rate higher than an infraction. Loose dogs are a very serious threat to the public safety. Even a nice dog that is allowed
to run at large can cause an auto accident, or knock down a child or an elderly person causing injury. It should be
at least a gross misdemeanor. Behind every dog stands it's owner. Dogs cannot operate independently of the owners own measure
of responsibility.
The problem being that when governments become embroiled in defining dog behavior, and trying to
write laws to control that behavior they lose sight that it's the dog owner who needs to be controlled on an individual basis.
It's far more important for government to control human behavior. A dog will only do that which it's owner allows, encourages,
or trains it to do.
This is a fair, but firm set of laws that does not infringe upon anyone’s rights. It was developed by Responsible Dog Owner Groups from
across the country uniting to help governments promote responsible dog ownership for the better good of all. Surely there is something in this model that your city, county, or state can employ to make life safer for all of your citizenry.
1. Dogs are Personal Property (a) The state of
_____________ recognizes that dogs are personal property. No city, county or state authority shall restrict, or prohibit
the ownership of dogs by breed. (b)No breed specific ordinances enacted in _________ shall stand. (c) The State of _____________
recognizes the right of the people to own any breed of dog in a responsible manner.
2. Containment and Care Regulations
(a) All dogs shall be contained to their owners property in either an escape proof securely fenced yard, or enclosure,
or on a securely fastened steel cable run. (b) Every precaution must be made to protect the public from dogs that
are not behind fenced enclosures. The assumption of liability is upon the dog owner. (c) All dogs shall be securely
leashed, and controlled by an adult when off of the owner’s property. (d) No child under the age of sixteen (16)
years shall be allowed to lead a dog in public areas. This does not include Junior Showmanship competition in the show
ring at a dog show. Any parent whose child under the age of sixteen years is found in public unattended with a dog on,
or off lead shall be charged with reckless endangerment. (e) No child under the age of ten (10) years shall be left unattended with
any dog. (f)The owner shall provide his/her dog with shelter appropriate to the climate. (g) The owner shall provide
shade from the sun, and cover from the rain/snow. (h) The owner shall provide his/her dog with food, and plentiful clean
drinking water daily. (i) The owner shall schedule annual immunization inoculations for his/her dog for the prevention
of communicable diseases and produce immunization documentation to authorities upon demand. (j) Violations of statutes
f, g, h, i, shall be considered cruelty to animals the owner shall be charged fines, and or jail time commensurate with
the harm done to the animal. The Court may remove the animal from the custody of the owner.
3. Dogs At Large (a)
Any owner who allows his/ her dog to run at large shall be fined one hundred dollars ($100.00) for the first violation,
the second violation two hundred dollars ($200.00, the third violation four hundred dollars ($400.00) after which the
dog shall be confiscated by the Animal Control Authorities and, after evaluation of temperament by qualified personel
either placed into a responsible home, or humanely euthanized as verified by documentation. (b) Nothing in this section
shall pertain to owners hunting with dogs.
4. Strict Liability (a) A dog owner will be held strictly liable for
any harm, injury, fatality, or trespass done by his/her dog when off of the owners property at large, and out of the
owners immediate control. This liability shall include remuneration, fines, and or jail time depending upon the severity
of the damage done by the owners dog. (b) A dog owner shall be charged with negligent homicide whose dog kills a person
when off the owners property, the dog shall be confiscated by the authorities and humanely euthanized, except in the case
that the dog is protecting it's owner's life. (c) A dog owner shall be charged with reckless endangerment whose dog injures
a person, or causes an accident while at large off the owners property, or out of the immediate control of the owner. The
dog shall be removed from the owners custody, and be evaluated on temperament by qualified personel, and either be placed
in a responsible home or humanely euthanized. (d) A dog owner shall be charged with aggravated nuisance and animal cruelty
if he/she is found facing off dogs in any public area, and fined five hundred dollars ($500.00. The dog owner shall be
placed on strict probation for the period of one (1) year during which time if any violations occur the dog owner shall
be fined one thousand ($1000.00), and he/she shall lose custody of the dog. The dog shall be evaluated by qualified
personel, and either be placed in a responsible home, or be humanely euthanized. (e) A dog owner shall be charged with
aggravated nuisance should his/her dog menace a person when at large. The owner shall be fined five hundred dollars
($500.00) and placed on probation for six months, during which time if any violations occur he/she shall lose custody
of the dog. The dog shall be evaluated by qualified personel, and either be placed in a responsible home, or humanely euthanized. (f)
A dog owner shall pay remuneration, and fines when his/her dog kills, or injures an animal, or animals belonging to another
person when at large off the owners property. The dog owner shall be placed on strict probation for the period of one(1)
year, during which time should any further violations occur, the dog shall be removed from the custody of the owner.
The dog shall be evaluated by qualified personel, and either placed into a responsible home, or humanely euthanized. (g)
Any dog owner by whose violations has caused his/her dog to be removed from his/her custody shall not be allowed to own
another dog for a period of ten (10) years. (h) No dog owner will be held liable if the dog bites, injures, or kills
an intruder, a burglar, a trespasser, or anyone who threatens the owner, or his/her safety while on, or off of the owner's
property while the dog is under control of the owner. (i) Any person who is bitten while teasing, or tormenting a dog
that is contained to the owner's property shall have no legal recourse for damages. (j) Any parent whose child is
bitten, or mauled due to the parent's inattendance to his/her child shall be charged with reckless endangerment of a
child.
5. Dog Abandonment (a) Any person who abandons a dog by either dumping it alongside any thoroughfare,
or by moving away and leaving the dog shall be subject to a one thousand dollar fine ($1,000.00), and jail time, or community
service not to exceed six months.
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