Austinist: Legislature to Take a Bite Out of Crime?

alison

Wed, 25 Apr 2007 14:03:52 -0600

when i was little, i had a dog who bit a neighbor boy. he was a very sweet dachshund, but after he was kicked repeatedly by the boy, he bit him. we had to give the dog away to another family without children, because the boy's family threatened to sue. i'm not saying that genevia bushnell did anything so mean as to kick that dog or provoke it in any way, but we do need to remember that not all dogs bite because they are mean. many times, it is for self-defense.

Laura

Wed, 25 Apr 2007 12:23:59 -0600

In many cases, dog owners treat their pets like humans. Humans don't get a "first bite free" if they harm somebody. Why do they feel that their dog should get a second chance?

Tim

Wed, 25 Apr 2007 12:07:24 -0600

It's simple enough, people: kennel your dogs when the delivery person shows up, and put them on a leash when in public. It's a sound legal defense, and it's also just common courtesy and the responsible thing to do. It is that simple. Let's make that the law rather than doing away with the first bite rule. I would, however, be fine with having the first bite rule be free for the dog, but cost a lot of money for the owner. If you knew you had to pay $500 if your dog bit someone, I think you'd be a lot less likely to let them run off a leash.