LANSING, Mich. (June 2, 2021) — Sen. Sean McCann today reintroduced bills to provide guidelines for dangerous dog owners and protect those who encounter dangerous dogs.
Senate Bills 510 and 511 focus on specific dog behaviors, not breeds, and provide a framework for determining which dogs are dangerous. If a dog is identified as dangerous, its owner would then be required to take steps to protect people from it.
“We know that dogs that have a violent history present an increased risk of attacking someone again, so this legislation is designed with that in mind to try to prevent attacks from even happening in the first place,” Sen. McCann said. “As a former dog owner and lover of all animals, I believe these bills would help implement the necessary guidelines and protective measures to keep our community members safe.”
Attacks by aggressive dogs still occur far too frequently, with some victims suffering serious damage and bodily harm. In 2010 and again in 2012, Laura Blanchard, a Kalamazoo letter carrier, was violently mauled on her route. She ended up leaving her job after suffering serious injuries and has since advocated for better dog controls so that other letter carriers could remain safe and feel protected while on the job.
“People like Laura have been begging us to help protect them,” added Sen. McCann, who has been working on this issue since 2014 as a State Representative. “No one should have to walk through their neighborhood or do their job under the constant fear of being bitten or attacked by a dog that has most likely exhibited aggressive behaviors in the past.”
Under Sen. McCann’s proposed bills, a valid complaint filed against a dog would result in a hearing to determine if the dog is dangerous or poses a threat to society. If it is deemed dangerous or even potentially dangerous, the court can order the dog to be registered as such, which would then trigger a notification to individuals such as local letter carriers and utility company workers, letting them know the location of the known, aggressive animal.
Owners found in violation of the court’s orders would be charged with a felony.
The legislation excludes hunting and livestock guard dogs acting as expected, dogs that attack trespassers, dogs that attack people who are in the act of committing a crime, dogs that attack their owners or family members, dogs that attack people tormenting them or attack other animals who attacked the dog first, along with other instances that would excuse aggressive behavior.
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