GEORGIA -- State representatives have passed a bill that will make it tougher to own a vicious dog…
Supporters say it's in the best interest of the public.
Today we talked to one Albany man that was attacked by a pit bull just days ago who is now in support of that bill.
Supporters say it's in the best interest of the public.
Today we talked to one Albany man that was attacked by a pit bull just days ago who is now in support of that bill.
Joe McCaffrey got emotional today when talking about a pit bull attacking him and his two dogs over the weekend. This is one example of why the state is cracking down on owners with vicious dogs.
Joe McCaffrey is distraught after he and his 2 dogs were attacked Saturday afternoon outside of his apartment off of North Slappey by a pit bull.
"The dog just came out from nowhere. He grabbed my seven year old shih tzu by the head and shook it and I just reacted man. I just jumped on the dog to try to open his mouth," said McCaffrey.
McCaffrey was left with a $1,500 vet bill and his dog Cody was at the vet's office until today when McCaffrey's brother paid the bill.
"Well his upper jaw is broken in five spots and they had to wire that. His lower jaw was broken in two spots. They had to wire that and he's missing all of his teeth on one side," McCaffrey.
Last week, State House reps passed a bill that would make owning a vicious dog much harder. Under the new bill vicious dog owners must have a microchip inserted in it and carry $50,000 in insurance.
"Well we're already ahead of that Bill," said Martha Ann Coe.
Last month, Terrell County passed an ordinance that bans dog owners from chaining or tethering their dog instead they must be in a pen or kennel. Owners of dogs listed as dangerous must carry $100,000 in insurance and have a microchip inserted in the pet.
"We're right now on the verge of Summer. School will be out and you have children playing in the neighborhoods all day long. You're putting those children at risk," said Coe.
McCaffrey hopes this new statewide bill will save anyone from going through what he went through.
"It's just something nobody should have to witness it's horrible," McCaffery.
The proposed bill, House Bill 685 was passed by the Georgia House of Representatives on by a vote of 170 to 0.
According to the American Humane Association, an estimated 4.7 million dog bites occur in the United States each year, and nearly 800,000 of these require medical care.
These bites total more than $1 billion in damage each year
(WALB - March 15, 2012)
