Bill to Call for Tougher Dog Law in Virginia

Lawmakers are proposing tough legislation to punish dog owners whose pets injure or kill after the attack on an 82-year-old widow who was fatally mauled by three roaming pit bulls.

Dorothy Sullivan's family and some legislators contend Virginia law doesn't give prosecutors much recourse in cases where dogs kill or maim.

The Virginia State Crime Commission has proposed specifying negligent behavior by an animal owner that results in serious harm under the unlawful bodily injury statute, making it a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $2,500 fine.

Under the proposed legislation, the penalties would be harsher for dog owners whose pets previously had been declared dangerous. Owners of dogs declared dangerous would be required to maintain a $300,000 insurance policy, up from the $100,000 required now.

It used to be that a dog that bit had to be watched to determine if it was dangerous. If so it was put down. Now there are dogs already declared dangerous still in the owners custody.

One of the reasons for the increase in dog attacks is there are more people keeping dogs for protection. As in all endeavors there are a few irresponsible individuals who cause most of the problems. These proposed laws may help, although the provision on dogs already declared dangerous is too lenient. A dangerous dog should be put down. It may not be the dog's fault that its owners have made it this way, but if the dog can't be rehabilitated something must be done. Additional insurance is insufficient to stop an attack. Money is a poor substitute for death or disfigurement.

Anything that increases personal reasponiablity is a good thing. Jail time and stiff fines help people focus on the impact they have on their community if only through self intrest. Enhancing community security with grater police presence and allowing citizens greater ability to protect their property such as with "Make my day" legislation, would alleviate the anxiety that drives some to own dangerous dogs.

Breeding and training for fighting is just plain cruelty. Those who do it should get jail time for a first offence or have such huge fines that getting caught would be serious.