Last Thursday the Maryland House pushed forward a bill that will hold all dog owners, no longer specifically pit bull owners, liable for injuries caused by their dog.
Last spring the court ruled that pit bulls were “inherently dangerous,” and although this new bill does put more responsibility on dog owners than previously, this is somewhat of a victory for pit bull owners as it no longer singles out a specific breed. In the past landlords along with dog owners were responsible for damages and injuries. As a result some landlords were demanding tenants give up their pit bulls. Such breed-specific language in the bill outraged several animal rights groups as it affected only one specific group of dogs, (Maryland House unanimously approves dog bite legislation, Kate Havard, Washington Post,
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/md-politics/md-house-unanimously-approves-dog-bite-legislation/2013/02/21/b9276146-7c3f-11e2-a044-676856536b40_story.html).
This new bill contains no breed-specific language and no longer makes landlords liable for the actions of their tenant's dogs.
Another change this bill brings is in the courts; the dog owner will have to prove that their dog is not a threat to others whereas previously the plaintiff was responsible for proving the animal was dangerous.
Now the bill moves on to Maryland's state senate where it is believed it will pass with no protest.
