Lunas Law 

Introduction

Lunas Law is a new proposed addition to Pennsylvania's current dangerous dog law which can be found at https://www.agriculture.pa.gov/Animals/DogLaw/?Dangerous%20dogs/Pages/Default.aspx to Impose stricter laws when it comes to how a dangerous dog is handled, within the state of Pennsylvania. This new proposed addition to Pennsylvania's dog law will apply to any and all breeds of dogs residing within the state of Pennsylvania. This new law will add additional information, and requirements in sections " Responsibilities of a dog owner". and the "Enforcement section". of Pennsylvania's dangerous dog law. This new law will also propose adding a new section called "Punishment of a dangerous dog"

Background information

On May 17th 2018, my wife Janine and I were out walking and training our 1 year old beagle named Luna. Luna was training to be a service dog for my wife so she could obtain full certification and be allowed in public places with my wife. As we were on the way back home with Luna, a black pit bull came out of no where and viscously attacked Luna without even being provoked . In my attempt to save Luna, I was also attacked. Luna required emergency surgery on her groin and stomach due to the extent of the injuries. I required a full series of rabies vaccines, and antibiotics because we found out from the police that the other dog never had any shots. So because of this incident, I am proposing this new law to make stricter requirements for handling a dangerous dog and enforcement.

Proposed Changes

Under the section Responsibilities of a dog owner I propose to add

(14). That a dog owner depending on the severity of the attack, shall be required to provide professional training for their dangerous dog if the attack is declared minor and the dog did not intend to kill , or disfigure a person or a domestic animal.

(15). If the dog has attacked, and it was declared that the dog had the intent to kill or disfigure a person or a domestic animal the dog owner is required to pay all expenses to have his or her dog put down within 30 days from the date of the judgement.

(16). Regardless of whether its a first offence or not, the owner of the dangerous dog is required to pay any and all medial bills, vet bills for the victim or victims.

Under the enforcement section, it states " A dog may be taken under certain circumstances (that the dog is not registered, or kept in a proper enclosure).

What I am proposing to change is

(1). Regardless of whether it is a First Offence, Second Offence, or Third offence if a dog attacks a person or a domestic animal, with the intent to kill without provocation the dog is required to be taken and held in captivity until a judgment is made in court that the owner is responsible for all costs.

(2). If the dog does not have its rabies vaccine or has not had its rabies vaccine the dog shall be held in captivity for the duration for the duration of the 10-day quarantine and the owner shall be responsible for all costs.

New section to dangerous dog law

The new section that I propose to add to Pennsylvania's dangerous dog law is called "Punishment of a dangerous dog".

(A). A dog that attacks a person or domestic animal WITH the intent to kill or disfigure, shall be put down immediately when found guilty whether its a First, Second, or Third offense. The dog owner shall assume responsibility for all costs, and the dog owners name shall be put in a database of "people no longer allowed to own a dog".

(B). A dog that attacks a person or domestic animal WITHOUT the intent to kill or disfigure, shall require professional training paid for by the dogs owner to control the dogs behavior in the future. The owner will also follow all requirements of "Responsibilities of a dog owner". If the dog owner fails to follow these requirements, the dog will be subject to confiscation and be put down if necessary with the dog owner assuming responsibility of all costs. If the dog owner fails to follow the requirements, the dog owners name shall be put in a database of "people no longer allowed to own a dog".