In response to the insane, inane introduction of “Congo’s Law” - a law that will send a vicious dog and many more like it back into the community - courageous NJ legislators will soon introduce a tougher version of “Lillian’s Law” (Texas H.B. 1355) in NJ. Lillian’s Law will provide a much needed balance to “Congo’s Law”.
According to NJ Asm. Cohen, the sponsor of “Congo’s Law”, the problem of dogs viciously attacking people and children is with the OWNER of the dog.
Therefore, it only makes sense to hold the owners of vicious dogs accountable for the actions of their dog - especially when the dog guesses wrong in determining friend or foe!
NJ is considering expanding “Lillian’s Law” law to include ANY owner of a dog that attacks - not only the owners of already known dangerous dogs. This is a much needed improvement to the existing “Lillian’s Law”
Texas H.B. 1355 would charge a dog owner with a THIRD-DEGREE FELONY if the dog causes serious bodily injury to a victim in an unprovoked attack. A third-degree felony is punishable by two to 10 YEARS IN PRISON and a possible $10,000 fine.
The crime would be a SECOND-DEGREE FELONY, punishable by up to 20 YEARS IN PRISON, if a victim dies a result of an unprovoked attack.
In Texas, in 2002, a total of 546 severe animal attacks or bites were voluntarily reported to the Zoonosis Control Division of the Texas Department of Health. The majority of cases, 485 cases, involved domestic dogs.