Marty
05-30-2006, 11:28 AM
Muskogee,OK -- Gov. Brad Henry is reviewing legislation that proponents say would put some teeth into state laws that impose criminal liability for dangerous-dog owners proven to be irresponsible.
A spokesman for the governor said he expects Henry will take action on the bill this week.
House Bill 2813, which was received by the governor’s office Thursday, would make it a misdemeanor when a dog attacks another person punishable by a fine of no more than $1,000 for a first offense and no more than $5,000 for a second offense.
The bill also would make it a felony if the dog kills another person and would subject the owner to no more than five years in prison, a fine of no more than $25,000, or both.
“Certainly the governor is inclined to favor legislation that promotes public safety,” said Phil Bacharach, the governor’s press secretary.
“This bill appears to do that.”
Proponents of HB 2813 — co-authored primarily by state Reps. Lee Denney, R-Cushing; Glen Smithson, D-Sallisaw; and Trebor Worthen, R-Oklahoma City; and Sen. Frank Shurden, D-Henryetta — say the law would protect the public from all dangerous dogs regardless of breed.
HB 2813 was drafted as an alternative to breed-specific legislation introduced by Rep. Paul Wesselhoft, R-Moore.
That bill, which was killed in committee, would have created a statewide registry of pit bulls in the state, imposed reporting duties on pit bull owners, and placed additional burdens on pit bull ownership.
Critics said the proposal would have resulted in a statewide ban of the breeds commonly — and mistakenly — referred to as pit bulls: the American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and American Pit Bull Terrier.
Joan Morrison, treasurer of the Endangered Breeds Association, said HB 2813 is good legislation that will — if it is signed by the governor — provide strict penalties for those proven to be irresponsible owners of dangerous dogs and maintain a level of fairness with which responsible owners can be comfortable.
Morrison said legislators worked with her organization and responsible dog owners to draft a bill that is reasonable and should be a model for other states wrestling with similar issues.
“Oklahoma has long been a leader in dangerous-dog legislation,”
Morrison said.
“This bill is even better than what we had: It sends a clear message to irresponsible pet owners of any breed that there are stiff penalties in place to make them accountable for their dog’s actions.”
Reach D.E. Smoot at 684-2903 or dsmoot@ muskogeephoenix.com.
http://www.muskogeephoenix.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060530/NEWS01/60529006/1002
A spokesman for the governor said he expects Henry will take action on the bill this week.
House Bill 2813, which was received by the governor’s office Thursday, would make it a misdemeanor when a dog attacks another person punishable by a fine of no more than $1,000 for a first offense and no more than $5,000 for a second offense.
The bill also would make it a felony if the dog kills another person and would subject the owner to no more than five years in prison, a fine of no more than $25,000, or both.
“Certainly the governor is inclined to favor legislation that promotes public safety,” said Phil Bacharach, the governor’s press secretary.
“This bill appears to do that.”
Proponents of HB 2813 — co-authored primarily by state Reps. Lee Denney, R-Cushing; Glen Smithson, D-Sallisaw; and Trebor Worthen, R-Oklahoma City; and Sen. Frank Shurden, D-Henryetta — say the law would protect the public from all dangerous dogs regardless of breed.
HB 2813 was drafted as an alternative to breed-specific legislation introduced by Rep. Paul Wesselhoft, R-Moore.
That bill, which was killed in committee, would have created a statewide registry of pit bulls in the state, imposed reporting duties on pit bull owners, and placed additional burdens on pit bull ownership.
Critics said the proposal would have resulted in a statewide ban of the breeds commonly — and mistakenly — referred to as pit bulls: the American Staffordshire Terrier, Staffordshire Bull Terrier and American Pit Bull Terrier.
Joan Morrison, treasurer of the Endangered Breeds Association, said HB 2813 is good legislation that will — if it is signed by the governor — provide strict penalties for those proven to be irresponsible owners of dangerous dogs and maintain a level of fairness with which responsible owners can be comfortable.
Morrison said legislators worked with her organization and responsible dog owners to draft a bill that is reasonable and should be a model for other states wrestling with similar issues.
“Oklahoma has long been a leader in dangerous-dog legislation,”
Morrison said.
“This bill is even better than what we had: It sends a clear message to irresponsible pet owners of any breed that there are stiff penalties in place to make them accountable for their dog’s actions.”
Reach D.E. Smoot at 684-2903 or dsmoot@ muskogeephoenix.com.
http://www.muskogeephoenix.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060530/NEWS01/60529006/1002