Legislators push for stricter laws on dog attacks

State Sen. Vi Simpson's legislation to tighten Indiana's law on dog attacks heads to conference committee today. Simpson, D-Ellettsville, sponsored the legislation after a pack of dogs fatally mauled a 71-year-old census taker in Brown County last summer. \n"This is an issue that is extremely important to the people of Brown County and, indeed, to all Hoosiers," she said. "Dog owners must be held responsible for serious harm caused by their animals. This bill allows prosecutors to appropriately enforce personal responsibility."\nThe legislation would hold dog owners criminally liable for attacks that take place on their property. It would only apply to people required to be on the property, such as postal workers and health inspectors.\nUnder current state law, attacks resulting in death can be prosecuted as a Class C felony only if the attack occurs off of the owner's property. Simpson's bill would close this legal loophole.\n"The bill is narrow enough not to infringe upon the rights of rural residents who may keep dogs to protect their property," Simpson said. "At the same time, it protects those who are required by law to enter a property. People who choose to keep a pack of dogs must take responsibility for that choice."\nDorothy Stewart died June 10 when visiting a cabin near Nashville to collect census information. Brown County Prosecutor Jim Oliver backs the legislation, pointing out the current law doesn't provide appropriate penalties for what happened to Stewart.\nOliver has reached a plea agreement with the dog owners, under which they'll plead guilty to the charge of criminal recklessness, a Class D felony. Wayne Newton receives a three-year prison term under the sentence, while Joann Latvaitis gets a one and a half year term. \nOther law enforcement officials testified before the General Assembly in favor of the legislation, including Monroe County Prosecutor Carl Salzmann. \nThe Senate passed the legislation by a vote of 47-2 in early March. It passed the House 92-0 last week with provisions unapproved by Simpson. \nRep. Matt Whetstone, R-Brownsburg, revised the bill to exempt those owners who restrain their dogs or post prominent signs warning of their presence. His amendment would also create a notification system, so public servants could report threatening encounters and, if needed, obtain court orders to conduct their business.\n"I just think property owners have a right to some protection on their property," Whetstone said.\nIn conference committee, lawmakers will seek to settle their differences and fine-tune the bill.\nThe Associated Press contributed to this report.