Reversal on pit bulls to go to Senate

A bill to reverse the designation in Maryland of pit bulls being an “inherently dangerous” breed got a unanimous vote Thursday.

With a count of 133-0 members of the House of Delegates in Maryland pushed the bill to the Senate.

Last year the state's highest court, the Court of Appeals, ruled dogs considered "pit bulls" are inherently dangerous. The ruling included legislation that pit bull owners and landlords would be held to strict liability standards for dog bites without previous evidence that a dog was dangerous.

Legislators in the House of Delegates and State Senate appear to agree on the issue. The new bill would declare all dogs inherently dangerous. That means the meaning the victim of a dog bite -- by any breed -- could sue the dog's owner.

The owner could defend him or herself in court.

The bill would also make it easier for renters to own pit bulls and other dogs; landlords could only be sued by the victim of a dog bite if the victim can prove the landlord should have known the dog was dangerous.

The dog owners we spoke with say all the debating wouldn't be necessary, if every new owner stuck with some old tricks.