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Dangerous-dog laws discussed by panel State and regional representatives talk about how new legislation can curb vicious dogs. Date published: 8/10/2005
By CHELYEN DAVIS If the members of the General Assembly agree as much as members of a panel discussing dog legislation did yesterday, state Sen. Edd Houck's attempt to tighten the state's dangerous-dog laws will pass without a hitch. Houck held a public hearing at Germanna Community College's Fredericksburg campus yesterday to discuss proposals to make the laws regarding ownership of dangerous dogs more stringent. He'd gathered a panel from law enforcement, local government and dog groups, and presented them with several proposed changes to the state code. Surprisingly, there was much unanimity among the panel about what needs to go into any legislation, as well as what needs to be left out. "I've been struck by how much agreement there's been on this panel," said Houck, D-Spotsylvania. "That's a very positive signal to the people of Virginia. Now, 140 members of the General Assembly, that's another story." The problem of dangerous dogs running loose was highlighted by the March death of Spotsylvania resident Dorothy Sullivan and her pet dog, both of whom police said were attacked and killed by a neighbor's pit bulls. The neighbor, Deanna H. Large, is set to go on trial Tuesday on charges of involuntary manslaughter. Spotsylvania Commonwealth's Attorney Bill Neely is charging her with involuntary manslaughter because the state code does not specifically spell out applicable criminal charges for owners of dogs that attack people or other animals. That's one loophole Houck is seeking to close. For the hearing, Houck invited representatives from the Virginia Crime Commission and the Division of Legislative Services to explain draft legislation and proposals already in the works. Crime Commission Executive Director Kimberly Hamilton noted that the commission held a public hearing on the issue in June, and took no action. However, the issue will be up again at the commission's September meeting. She said there are three proposals in the works--to amend the code to make it clear that manslaughter charges apply to those who let dangerous dogs run loose if the dogs kill a person; to make a felony offense of bodily injury apply to the owner of a dangerous dog that maims but does not kill a person; and to let law enforcement, instead of just animal control officers, seek to have dogs declared dangerous by the courts.
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