Chesco Lawmaker Introduces Dangerous Dog Bill

CHESTER COUNTY, PA — A Chester County lawmaker recently introduced proposed legislation that aims to better protect the public from dogs that have caused severe injury to people or other animals.

Senate Bill 798, brought forth by State Sen. Tom Killion (R-9), would close what he's calling a loophole in the current law. It w

"Under current law, a dog may severely injure someone unprovoked, yet a court could clear the owner of all charges," Killion said in a statement. "At trial, ‘vicious propensity’ needs to be proven in order for a dog to be deemed dangerous, despite it causing severe injury. This is an impractical burden and a safety issue, for children in particular. My legislation eliminates that requirement."

Under the proposed legislation, when a dog severely injures someone, "violent history" would not need to be proven in order to have the dog officially declared dangerous. Furthermore, the annual registration fee for a dangerous dog would be increased from $500 to $1,000.

Killion cited conversations with several Chester County mothers as inspiring the bill. Sarah Hermans' eight-year-old son, Damien, had to undergo extensive reconstructive plastic surgery to repair his face after a 2016 dog attack, according to Killion. But the court did not deem the dog in that case dangerous because they could not prove a violent history.

The bill has received bipartisan support, with local Democratic State Rep. Melissa Shusterman throwing her weight behind it, saying she will support it when it reaches the house.

"I have heard from these mothers [of child victims of dog bites] and one of them lives in my community," she said. "As a dog lover, I believe when a dog is dangerous we must prevent the animal from doing further harm."

Senate Bill 798 has been referred to the Senate Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee, where it is now being considered.