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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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State
Rep. John T. Galloway |
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Galloway working to put more bite in local dog laws
HARRISBURG, April 29 – Saying it is time to allow local communities to better protect their citizens from vicious dogs, state Rep. John Galloway, D-Bucks, announced that he is crafting legislation that would allow municipalities to adopt their own ordinances pertaining to dangerous dogs without having them superseded by state law.
"In some communities, irresponsible owners of dangerous dogs do not take the necessary steps to ensure that their dogs are not running loose throughout the neighborhood," Galloway said. "Many municipal officials have complained that our state's current dog law is too weak and they want the ability to pass their own laws with more bite."
Galloway took the lead on this issue after an incident in Bristol where a man and his 5-year-old niece, who were walking their beagle, came upon a pit bull that was loose. The pit bull attacked the beagle, causing more than $2,000 in injuries.
"Thankfully the child and her uncle escaped physical harm, but I am sure the trauma this caused will haunt them for years to come, especially the little girl," Galloway said.
Galloway said simply amending the state's current dog law to require that all dangerous dogs be leashed at all times may not be feasible, especially in rural areas, which is why he prefers to leave it up to individual municipalities to decide how to address dangerous dogs.
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