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House Bill 313 will soon cross the desks of Georgia representatives that, if passed, would discourage dog adoptions by requiring that every rescue organization, shelter, or individual rehoming certain breeds to also provide potential adopters with paperwork and statistics on dog bite frequency and litigation costs during a transfer of ownership – whether it be through sale, adoption, or gift – even when the dog being adopted has never bitten anyone.
The bill, filed by District 60 Georgia Representative Keisha Waites (D), specifically names the usual breeds included in breed-specific legislation (American Pit Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Bulldog, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Doberman Pinscher, Rottweiler, Akita, and wolf hybrid breeds), but also includes several breeds less commonly affected by BSL including the German Shepherd, Chow Chow, Husky, Great Dane, and Boxer breeds and mixes.
It would require the dog’s current owner or guardian to provide, upon transfer of ownership of the animal, the following data to the new owner:
- any statistics pertaining to injuries to humans caused by dogs which it deems relevant to inform the public of the risks related to dog bites
- data from the previous year regarding the reported number of humans bitten by dogs in the United States;
- data on the total medical costs related to injuries caused by dogs in the United States
- the total amount of damages awarded to victims of dog bites or dog attacks in the United States
The bill, nicknamed “Logan’s Law” was drafted in response to a recent attack in which a young Atlanta boy named Logan was killed by a pit bull on his way to the bus stop. The bill was written under the guise of increasing public safety, but those who oppose the bill believe that, not only would a bill already in place not have prevented the attack on Logan, it would not prevent future attacks from occurring.
Further, the bill places unnecessary burden on rescue organizations, forcing them to provide potential adopters with information that is both already readily available and is irrelevant in individual adoptions, sales, or transfers of dog ownership.
And, further complicated by the passing of the bill would be rescue efforts when any of the named breeds, or mixes of those breeds are involved. For example, would a rescuer be permitted to remove an animal from an abusive situation, or will he need to wait for the abuser to provide irrelevant dog bite statistics first?
You can read the entire bill right here:
If passed, the bill will take effect on July 1, 2017. The bill has been assigned to the House Agriculture Committee. It will need to pass through the House, get a vote on the House floor, pass the Senate Committee, and a vote on the Senate floor before the Governor would consider signing it into law.
The legislation, would not only discourage pet adoptions, but would complicate rescue efforts and make it even more difficult for dog owners needing to rehome animals to do so – all without any conceivable benefit to public safety.
If you live in Georgia, please contact your representatives here and urge them to vote NO on House Bill 313.
Ravimala Mahawar
Jun 26, 2021 at 6:19 am
I`m not from Georgia. But i would like to contact our representatives, also urge to vote NO on House Bill 313.
Carolyn Caudill
Mar 5, 2017 at 8:44 am
This sucks Georgia! All dogs have a right to life! No breed should should be banned or killed just because of it's breed. Rescues should be able to save without all your BSL rules.
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Julie Wall
Feb 27, 2017 at 9:47 am
The public has the right to know about the top dog breeds that severely mauled or killed to make an informed decision when choosing a pet. The public should also be made aware that most home owners insurance won't cover those breed types either.
I would like to see the federal gov. issue an official warning about pit bull type-dogs to the public that they are the number one canine killer of people, pets and livestock of all breeds combined.
Terry Kuehner
Feb 25, 2017 at 12:59 pm
This is a complete, total overreaction. Bad things happen. That doesn't mean the world should change. A child being killed by a dog is certainly tragic, but labeling all dogs will not bring that child back. It wouldn't have even changed that situation. This sounds like revenge, nothing less.
Ruth De La Cerda
Feb 24, 2017 at 10:55 am
Democrat- Drain the swamp
Barbara Clark
Feb 24, 2017 at 10:35 am
Dogs need to be adopted so what is this crazy bill. It stinks and it smells. Come on peopled of somethingabout this
Marty Petersen
Feb 23, 2017 at 8:59 pm
Georgia would be better served if they passed legislation to end the horrors of the puppy mill industry. That is something every dog owner in the country would support if they any kind of heart.
Jen
Feb 23, 2017 at 11:43 am
This is fake news. Logan's Law (look it up), is the registry for animal abusers after someone threw acid on a husky. Please stop spreading click bait, this is a site about dogs, keep it real.
Brandy Arnold
Feb 23, 2017 at 1:31 pm
The "Logan's Law" that you're referring to was a case out of Michigan in 2011 that prompted several bills, some of which are still being reviewed. Michigan House bills HB4353 & HB4355 were very recently passed into law, requiring animal shelters check to see if an a person trying to adopt an animal has an animal abuse conviction, and if they do, they will not be allowed to adopt. Senate bills 219 & 220, which would mandate that anyone convicted of animal abuse not be allowed to have an animal for at least 5 years after serving their sentence, and that all animal abuse convictions be reported to the Michigan State Police, who would input the information into a database were written and will be re-introduced later this year.
Before accusing a site of posting "fake news" you might want to heed your own advice and "look it up."
Kathy Stewart
Feb 25, 2017 at 10:14 am
legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display/20172018/HB/313
judith buttler
Feb 22, 2017 at 5:04 pm
dogs need adopted you people are something else
Kathy
Feb 22, 2017 at 4:53 pm
This is HORRIBLE… what a terrible statement on our society and caring for our 4-legged friends.. instead of this we should have NO PUPPY MILLS law and harsher punishment to dog-fighting, and sale of dogs at pet shops can only be adoptions from shelters and rescues, NO breeders…. We need to HELP and NOT KILL our 4-legged loves. This is so wrong!