Focus on Owner: Lawmakers Stiffen Dangerous Dog Law
May 2009: Nebraska lawmakers have given final approval to stiffer penalties for owners of some dangerous dogs.
Under the bill (LB494) sent to Gov. Dave Heineman for his approval, the owner of a dog deemed dangerous because of a previous attack could face up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine if the dog attacked again and injured someone.
After a third attack by the dog, the owner could face a felony penalty of up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
The current maximum penalty for owners of dangerous dogs is up to a week in jail and a $1,000 fine.
The bill would also require veterinarians to report cases of possible animal abuse.
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Breed Specific Legislation:
Osceola, Nebraska has banned the following 8 breeds/types of dog and any dogs that may appear to be a mix of these dogs:
1. American Pit Bull Terrier
2. Staffordshire Bull Terrier
3. American Staffordshire Terrier
4. Chow Chow
5. Doberman Pinscher
6. Rottweiler
7. American Bandagge (sic) Mastiff
8. Neapolitan Mastiff
9. Any mix thereof
People who fight dogs:
Dog fighting, possession of dogs for fighting and being a spectator at a dogfight are all Class IV felonies in Nebraska.
See how Nebraska ranks in addressing dog fighting as compared to other states:
http://www.hsus.org/acf/fighting/dogfight/ranking_state_dogfighting_laws.html
National Canine Research Council