ATLANTA — State Representative Keisha Waites (D-Atlanta) announced today that she will introduce legislation in the 2014 Legislative Session that will require pet owners that have dogs with a history of aggressive and violent behavior to register for a special permits to own the dog. The legislation will also include other requirements such as mandatory obedient classes in a hope to curb aggressive behavior that can lead to deadly attacks.
“Something must be done to increase the level of protection we are providing the public from these potentially dangerous animals,” said Rep. Waites. “We can no longer sit by idly while our children fall victim to these senseless and preventable attacks.”
Rep. Waites’ announcement comes in the wake of Wednesday’s tragic dog attack that left a local Fulton County family grappling with the loss of their two year old son, as well as a number of other brutal attacks in metro Atlanta over recent years that have left residents killed or badly injured, including a DeKalb County 8 year who lost her arm in a violent attack a few weeks ago.
The legislation would be modeled after laws found in cities like St. Paul, Minnesota, which require dogs with a history of aggressive and violent behavior to provide written proof from a veterinarian that the animal has been micro chipped, spayed or neutered and completed mandatory obedience training, as well as proof that the dog’s owner has liability insurance. In addition pet owners would be required to notify animal control or law enforcement if the animal has gone missing. Failure to comply with these requirements would result in heavy fines and possible jail time.
“This is a necessary, fair and balanced approach to the rising fatal dog attacks in the metro area,” said Rep. Waites. “These requirements are measured and provide a fair and balance approach that will increase the level of safety to the public from potential dangerous dogs, while keeping the rights of dog owners in mind.”
Waites will spend the months leading up to the 2014 legislative session meeting with animal rights activist, local officials to lobby community buy-in and support for her proposed legislation.
“Instead of proposing an all-out ban of dangerous dogs or on pit bulls, which could be seen as infringing on the individual freedoms of responsible pet owners across the state, I am merely proposing that those who choose to own violent and dangerous animals that have a history of violence be held responsible, considering the type of damage these animals are capable of inflicting,” said Rep. Waites. “While I am very committed to the passage of comprehensive dangerous dog legislation, I am also interest in ensuring that responsible pet owners are not unfairly targeted.”
“I don’t think outlawing pit bulls is the way to go. However, there must be stronger laws on the books governing attacks by aggressive dogs, and stiff penalties to go with them for the owners of the dogs. When people start seeing dog owners go to jail for irresponsible behavior, they’ll start thinking twice about keeping a potentially dangerous animal for a pet,” Added Rep. Waites.
Representative Keisha Waites represents the citizens of District 60, which includes portions of Clayton and Fulton counties. She was elected into the House of Representatives in 2012, and currently serves on the Interstate Cooperation, Juvenile Justice, Public Safety and Homeland Security, Special Rules, and Transportation committees.
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