Dangerous Dog Amendment Act of 2001
Bill 14-94

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A BILL IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Councilmember Carol Schwartz introduced the following bill, which was referred to the Committee on Human Services.

To amend the Dangerous Dog Amendment Act of 1988 to classify Pit bulls as de facto dangerous dogs and require owner's compliance with dangerous dog provisions of the act.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act may be cited as the "Dangerous Dog Amendment Act of 2001 ".

Sec. 2. The Dangerous Dog Amendment Act of 1988, effective June 9, 1988 (D.C. Law 7-176; D.C. Code §6-1021 et seq.), is amended as follows:

(a) Section 2 (1)(A) (D.C. Code § 6-1021.1(1)(A)) is amended as follows:

(1) Subparagraph (i) is amended by striking the "or" after the word "provocation".

(2) Subparagraph (ii) is amended by striking the period and inserting "; or" in its place.

(3) A new subparagraph (iii) is added to read as follows:

"(iii) The breed of dogs known as Pit bull, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American Staffordshire Terrier, American Pit bull Terrier, or any dog that exhibits the physical characteristics of a pit bull as defined in this paragraph. The hearing process in section 3 of this act shall not apply to a Pit bull.".

(b) Section 4 is amended by inserting the phrase "a dog is a Pit bull or" after the word "if'.

Sec. 3. Fiscal impact statement

The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the Committee Report as the fiscal impact statement required by section 602(c)(3) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Code sec. 1-233(c)(3).

Sec. 4. Effective Date

This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor ( or in the event of a veto by the Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), approval by the Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Act of 1995, approved April 17, 1995 (109 Stat. 116; D.C. Code § 47392.3(a)), a 30-day period of Congressional review as provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Code §1-233(c)(1)), and publication in the District of Columbia Register.