State Senator Doug Jackson got four controversial dog bills approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee yesterday. The panel heard testimony from several dog bite victims, including a Memphis man who lost part of his left arm after being mauled by two pit bulls a few weeks ago.
Tennessee is one of the few states that still uses a one-bite grace period established by English civil courts nearly 200 years ago. One of Jackson’s bills eliminates that grace period and holds owners responsible if their dog is running loose.
“We’re no longer tied to the English common law, we now have statutory law that places duty and responsibility on dog owners, and I believe by doing that we make the general public safer.”
Jackson says gambling venues with organized dog fights contribute to the number of canines trained to be vicious. Another bill of his would increase the penalty for attending one of those dog fights.
The bills must still be considered by the state House of Representatives.
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