Md. Lawmakers Take On Pit Bull Ruling
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- A bill that would reverse the designation of pit bulls as an "inherently dangerous" breed of dog moved closer to being passed by the Maryland House of Delegates.
The measure received preliminary approval from the House Tuesday.
Delegates are expected to vote on the measure in the coming weeks.
Last year, the state's highest court, ruled that pit bull owners and landlords would be held to strict liability standards for dog bites without previous evidence that a dog was dangerous.
The new measure increases protections for dog bite victims by presuming that all dog owners, regardless of the breed, are presumed liable for attacks.
A dog owner who becomes a court defendant after a bite will have a chance in court to try to prove the dog was not dangerous.
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