Dangerous Dog Act of 2006

            This bill establishes the procedure by which a dog can be declared dangerous and the owner held liable for any harmful actions of the dog.  This legislation is not breed specific and applies to the actual harm caused by the animal instead of the kind of dog it may be.

            The bill allows the owner of a dog accused of being dangerous due process and the right to a fair and impartial hearing in court.

            The bill provides for containment and confinement regulations for dogs that have been declared dangerous by a judge. If a dog has been declared dangerous and when unprovoked shall attack, assault, wound or cause serious physical injury or kills a human being, the owner shall be guilty of a Class C Felony.

            A dog may not be declared dangerous under this act if:

1)                 It attacks a person committing a willful trespass or other tort upon premises occupied by the owner of the dog with the intent to commit a crime.

2)                 When the dog is protecting a person from an unjustified attack.

3)                 When an injury to a domestic animal happened while the dog was working as a hunting dog, herding dog, or protecting itself or its kennel.

The Alabama Humane Federation recently recognized Rep. Ward for his efforts on the Dangerous Dog Act