ATLANTA — State Representative Keisha Waites (D-Atlanta) announced today that she will introduce legislation during the 2017 Legislative Session that would require owners of dogs with potentially violent and aggressive behaviors to register for special ownership permits and would include language allowing local municipalities and jurisdictions to increase fines and penalties related to dog attacks. Rep. Waites’ announcement comes after a violent dog attack last week in Fulton County in which a 6-year-old boy was killed, as well as another dog attack this week in the same neighborhood.
“Something must be done to protect the public from these potentially dangerous animals,” said Rep. Waites. “We can no longer sit idly by while our children fall victim to these senseless and preventable attacks. I salute and applaud Atlanta City Councilwoman Keisha Lance Bottoms in her efforts to tackle this complex issue at the local level. Unfortunately, we live in a society that seems to place greater value on the lives of animals rather than the lives of children.”
The legislation will be modeled after similar laws in cities like St. Paul, Minn., which would require owners of dogs with a history of aggressive and violent behaviors to provide written proof from a veterinarian verifying that they have liability insurance and that their animal has been micro chipped, spayed or neutered and has completed mandatory obedience training. In addition, dog owners would be required to notify animal control or law enforcement officers if their pet goes missing. Failure to comply with these requirements would result in heavy fines and possible incarceration.
“This is a necessary, fair and balanced approach to combat the rising number of fatal dog attacks in the Metro Atlanta area,” said Rep. Waites. “These requirements will significantly improve public safety while keeping the rights of dog owners in mind.”
Rep. Waites has worked closely with families impacted by fatal attacks, animal rights activists, local elected officials and law enforcement officers to craft this legislation.
“Rather than proposing a total ban of all dangerous dogs, which could be perceived as an infringement of pet owners’ individual freedoms, I am proposing that those who choose to own potentially violent and dangerous animals be held responsible for the type of damage these animals are inflicting,” said Rep. Waites. “While I am committed to the passage of comprehensive dangerous dog legislation, I am also interested in ensuring that responsible pet owners are not unfairly targeted, and I do not think outlawing pit bulls is the correct course of action. However, I do believe that we must put stronger laws in place to govern the way aggressive dog attacks are dealt with. When dog attacks occur, dog owners must face stiff penalties. My prayer is that when Georgians see dog owners going to jail for irresponsible behavior, they will think twice about keeping a potentially dangerous animal as a pet.”
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 & Homeland Security, Special Rules, and Transportation committees.
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