Kurita's Bill Would Toughen Pet Laws

Susy Owen

Attorney

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Tennessee's State Senator Rosalind Kurita of Clarksville is looking for accountability. And now she will introduce a bill that will provide that accountability for pet owners.

The bill is known as "permissive legislation." In the event of a dog attack the case would go to General Sessions Court. Currently a dog attack case would go before a Circuit Court judge, which would assure a fine of $50 at most. If the bill passes such a case would be sent to General Sessions, where a judge could have the dog destroyed or impose a higher fine.

"I do believe in accountability," Kurita said Wednesday. "We can not have dogs hurting people in Montgomery County." At David Selby, animal control director for Montgomery County put it "All we can do is cite the person for a dog at-large," Selby said of current laws. "It's a joke." He backs the senator on this one. Selby added "There are certain breeds ... you're looking at 2,000 pounds of bite pressure." I think we should all be taking this type of threat seriously. Keeping the public safe is paramount, and enforcing strict vigorous laws is the only way to make some pet owners take responsibility.