A New Law and the Need for More

In May, Georgia Governor Nathan Deal signed House Bill 685 providing guidelines and procedures on how to determine whether a dog is dangerous or vicious and stiffening penalties to the owners of such pets. If a dog is determined to be a menace the owners are required to have their animal microchipped and must carry $50,000 worth of insurance. Tougher fines and jail time have been added in order to combat careless owners who train their dogs to be ruthless aggressors. This makes Georgia the 38th state to enact such legislation.

I am glad to see attention drawn to stopping those who are creating monsters and innocent people are getting hurt and killed in the process. But a story last week shows that our legal system and those who are tasked to uphold it are still hesitant when the victim is a pet and the aggressor is a human. In Rome Georgia, a dog named Braveheart had his throat brutally slit from ear to ear presumably by a neighbor fed up by the dog’s constant barking. Despite the efforts of the Atlanta Rescue Group of Northwest Georgia, the heroes who saved Braveheart’s life, no law agencies are currently pursuing the case. We need to remind our lawmakers that this level of cruelty towards an animal often leads to violence towards a human. Law enforcement needs to treat this case like that of an attack on a human.

On a much lighter note, ScanMyPetPls is asking you the peeps to help us determine our next contest. Suggestions can be made via Facebook or Twitter and who knows, maybe a prize for the winning suggestion. Our last two contests have been huge successes and lots of fun for all, especially my daughters who love looking at all the adorable photos of loved pets around the country. My suggestion, a Pets Got Talent contest with videos posted through YouTube.