A bill creating tougher regulations for vicious dog owners is back at the Statehouse.
The bill has spent years in limbo, but the new sponsor says canine attacks are a widespread problem that must be addressed. Ohio Public Radio's Andy Chow reports.
Republican Representative Niraj Antani says after several previous tries, it’s time to strengthen laws against the owners of dogs that carry out serious attacks.
Antani: “I believe that if a person attacks you and injures you or kills you it is a felony, it should be no different than a dog. It should be no different than vehicular manslaughter.”
Antani used last year’s attack against eight-year-old Savannah Coleman in Clermont County as an example. Her skull was fractured and she had bites on her head, ear and hand. The owner of the dog that attacked her paid a $120 fine. But groups such as the Humane Society say they’d also like to see more anti-cruelty laws, such as limits on how long dogs can be tied up or chained.
