Oklahoma lawmakers are considering a proposal that would allow cities throughout the state to ban any breed of dog they consider dangerous. Although the measure, proposed by Senator Patrick Anderson, isn’t breed-specific, some opponents of the bill argue that it’s a “backdoor way to ban pit bulls.” While efforts to ban pit bull terriers in …
Oklahoma lawmakers are considering a proposal that would allow cities throughout the state to ban any breed of dog they consider dangerous. Although the measure, proposed by Senator Patrick Anderson, isn’t breed-specific, some opponents of the bill argue that it’s a “backdoor way to ban pit bulls.” While efforts to ban pit bull terriers in Oklahoma failed in 2006, a state law was passed that year that defines dangerous and potentially dangerous dogs and establishes penalties for owners who fail to restrain them. Under this new proposal, Oklahoma cities would be permitted to ban a dog breed even if that breed hasn’t exhibit any hostile behavior or been involved in an attack. If you have suffered injuries in a dog bite accident in Oklahoma, contact our skilled attorneys at Oklahoma Legal Center for legal help.
Dog Attacks Can Cause Injury or Death
According to Senator Anderson, Oklahoma cities should have the right to restrict certain dog breeds if they determine them to be a threat to public safety. And while he has already heard from critics of the measure who claim that it’s not the dog, but the owner, who causes a problem, Anderson doesn’t seem convinced. “I don’t doubt their sincerity in that, but clearly we have an obligation to protect citizens, and if a community feels like they need to pass a city code or ordinance to protect their citizens, they need to be able to do that before someone is injured or even killed,” Anderson responded to opponents of the bill. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), roughly 4.5 million Americans are bitten by dogs every year and 800,000 seek medical attention for their injuries, half of whom are children.
Dog Bite Accident Statistics
The Central Oklahoma Humane Society has announced that it will oppose the proposed measure, and the organization’s president and executive director Christy Counts said, “Research has shown over and over and over again that the most common predictor of bites by dogs has more to do with the spayed and neutered and tethered than the actual breed. If a dog is spayed or neutered and its part of the family, the likelihood of severe aggression is very low.” Data provided by the CDC, however, tells a different story. According to CDC statistics, more than 60% of all dog attacks occur in the owner’s home, and approximately 77% of attack victims are family members or close friends of the dog owner, not strangers like most people would expect.
Contact Our Knowledgeable Attorneys for Legal Help
The CDC warns that, while it’s important to note what types of breeds are considered dangerous or potentially dangerous, it’s also important to recognize the fact that virtually any dog can attack at any time. If you or a loved one has been injured in a dog bite accident in Oklahoma City, or elsewhere in Oklahoma, don’t hesitate to protect your legal rights. Contact our reputable lawyers at Oklahoma Legal Center to discuss your legal options and determine whether you may be eligible for financial compensation. You may have grounds to file a personal injury claim against the owner of the dog involved in the attack, in order to seek fair and timely reimbursement for your dog bite injuries and associated medical expenses.