Dueling Dog Bills Introduced In House

Del. Michael D. Smigiel Sr. is resurrecting a bill from August’s special session that would hold dog owners strictly liable if their pets attack someone while running loose, whether or not the dogs have a history of vicious behavior.

Smigiel (R-Dist. 36) of Chesapeake City said that his bill is the only proposal on the table that will prevent bites from occurring in the first place.

“You pass this bill, then you give the incentive to the owner,” Smigiel said. “You fix the hole in the fence, or you put your dog on the leash.”
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