Training, laws vital to curb dog attacks

When man’s best friend attacks, we wonder: Are dogs born this way or do owners create this behavior? Recently, we heard the tragic news of Erin Ingram, a DeKalb County 8-year-old who lost one arm and the use of the other when she was attacked by a neighbor’s dogs while playing in her front yard. Seven-year-old Javon Roberson of Savannah had his face severely disfigured when he was mauled at a playground.

As an attorney and former prosecutor who has researched dangerous-dog issues for 20 years, I’ve been on both ends of the spectrum. Autopsy pictures of children mauled to death by dogs are forever seared in my mind.

Some of the most preventable cases are new parents bringing home their newborns without properly introducing the baby and family pet. Two weeks ago, a 2-day-old infant was killed in Pennsylvania. In 2011, three infants met the same fate. Unsupervised dogs are curious, with tragic results. Parents need information on responsible management of infants and dogs, a work currently in progress.

Since 2000, I have trained hundreds of law enforcement officers and prosecutors on this subject. The feedback is overwhelming: “We don’t understand Georgia’s piecemeal law; we need a better one; we need statewide reporting and record-keeping; we need training; we need an awareness campaign and community support.” Our current law has serious flaws. Some law-enforcement and prosecutors avoid using existing law and search for other ways to charge reckless owners.

Unlike states with updated laws, Georgia does not require classified (dangerous/vicious) dogs to be microchipped. Further, definitions of classified dogs are vague and misunderstood. Our penalties are weak. There is no classification for a dog that attacks a person’s pet. There is no limit to how many vicious dogs a person can have. Georgia’s civil law is deficient compared to laws in other states that provide clear remedies for victims.

So what should Georgians do? Improve legislation. Insist on enforcement. Support enhanced training. Get involved.

Thankfully, some Georgia lawmakers realize the need to update our laws. Rep. Gene Maddox has sponsored House Bill 685. He is attempting to modernize our law and recognizes where accountability lies, calling it the “Responsible Dog Owner Act.” The bill is headed to the House Rules Committee and hopefully to the House floor before crossover day Wednesday. Please call your state representative in support.