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Fatality Affected Law 
DIANNA ACKLEN
Mauling victim's 2006 death led to a tougher law.
In 2006, library clerk Dianna Acklen was bitten some 200 to 300 times by a pack of dogs while she was taking her customary walk in her Decherd, Tenn., neighborhood.
So last year, lawmakers finally toughened Tennessee's weak animal control law, which before then was essentially nothing more than a $50 fine on owners who allowed their dogs to run at large.
The new law, named the Dianna Acklen Act of 2007, abolished Tennessee's long-observed "first bite" rule, which allowed owners to escape civil liability if that was the first time their dog harmed someone.
Now, victims no longer have to prove that they weren't the first person bitten by a dog before they can sue an owner in civil court.
"It was a good first step," said Acklen's daughter, Darbie Sizemore." I'm encouraged they put more responsibility on the dog owner.
"My right to walk down a county road should not be infringed upon by your ability to own a dog."She added, "Owning a dog is not a right; it is a responsibility."You have a responsibility to keep your dog contained on your property."
But that's where things get thorny.The new law applies only if the dog is not on its own property.Jackson said he's already filed a bill to correct what he says is a "crazy" loophole.He noted that the families of four dog-attack victims killed in the past year would not benefit from the newly passed law, including an 11-month-old who was attacked and killed by two Siberian huskies that tore through his playpen.
Loss of Land Considered
Two of Jackson's bills target people who abuse animals.
Today, the Senate Judiciary Committee is set to review a bill to create the Tennessee Animal Abuser Registration, Tracking and Verification Act.
Studies show a link between children and teens who seriously and repeatedly hurt or kill animals later becoming violent criminal offenders and even serial killers, the bill says.Among information available to the public would be the abuser's name, age, convictions, addresses and photo.
"There is a compelling and necessary public interest that the public have information concerning persons convicted of severe animal abuse offenses to adequately protect themselves and their animals," the legislation says. Another Jackson bill would require people who hold animal fights on their property to forfeit their land, which would then be sold by the state.Funds would to go to local humane shelters, Jackson said."Maybe people will be much more reluctant to hold these fights," Jackson said.
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Dog that attacked fire investigator has bitten someone before February 1, 2008
Shreveport, LA - According to authorities, one of the dogs that bit a Shreveport Fire Department investigator after he knocked on the door has bitten before and has also been the subject of repeated complaints that it chases people. Fire investigator Chris Robinson was bitten Monday after he went to a neighbor's house to talk to the woman whose house had burned. Robinson suffered bites to the leg and buttock.
The animal control department said that the Catahoula, Jep, is under quarantine for rabies. According to a retired Shreveport firefighter, Jep bit the fire fighter two years ago. |
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Why should a community outlaw the continuous chaining or tethering of dogs?
Animal control and humane agencies receive countless calls every day from citizens concerned about animals in these cruel situations. Animal control officers, paid at taxpayer expense, spend many hours trying to educate pet owners about the dangers and cruelty involved in this practice. Regulations against chaining also give officers a tool to crack down on illegal dog fighting, since many fighting dogs are kept on chains.
A chained animal is caught in a vicious cycle; frustrated by long periods of boredom and social isolation, he becomes a neurotic shell of his former self-further deterring human interaction and kindness. In the end, the helpless dog can only suffer the frustration of watching the world go by in isolation-a cruel fate for what is by nature a highly social animal. Any city, county, or state that bans this practice is a safer, more humane community.
How does tethering or chaining dogs pose a danger to humans?
Dogs tethered for long periods can become highly aggressive. Dogs feel naturally protective of their territory; when confronted with a perceived threat, they respond according to their fight-or-flight instinct. A chained dog, unable to take flight, often feels forced to fight, attacking any unfamiliar animal or person who unwittingly wanders into his or her territory.
Numerous attacks on people by tethered dogs have been documented.The Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association reported that 17% of dogs involved in fatal attacks on humans between 1979 and 1998 were restrained on their owners' property at the time of the attack, and the book Fatal Dog Attacks states that 25% of fatal attacks were inflicted by chained dogs of many different breeds.
Tragically, the victims of such attacks are often children who are unaware of the chained dog's presence until it is too late. Furthermore, a tethered dog who finally does get loose from his chains may remain aggressive, and is likely to chase and attack unsuspecting passersby and pets.
But how else can people confine dogs?
Dogs should be kept indoors at night, taken on regular walks, and otherwise provided with adequate attention, food, water, and veterinary care. If an animal must be housed outside at certain times, he should be placed in a suitable pen with adequate square footage and shelter from the elements.
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 Tenn. Senate Passes Historic Animal Abuse Registry Bill
February 26, 2008
NASHVILLE - Tennessee continues to show its solidarity for pets following the passage of a Senate proposal that would create an animal abuser registry. It need only find House and gubernatorial approval to become law.
The Volunteer State's lawmakers unanimously moved the proposal forward to the Legislature where SB 2676 - HB 2803 will go before a House of Representatives Judiciary Committee Wednesday.
Also known as the Tennessee Animal Abuser Registration, Tracking and Verification Act of 2008, it is sponsored by Sen. Doug Jackson (D-Dickson) and Rep. Janis Sontany (D-Nashville).
The measure, if passed by the House and signed by the governor, would create a registry of people convicted of aggravated cruelty toward animals, felony animal fighting or bestiality. Names, address and photos of abusers would be posted on a state Web site, similar to the list of convicted sex offenders.
"Aggravated animal cruelty is something that's truly shocking," Jackson said. "It demonstrates a malignant heart. This is a person who would be capable of many other crimes."
However, some senators do not see the need for the bill's high priority. Senate Judiciary Chairwoman Mae Beavers (R-Mount Juliet) was among six senators who abstained from voting on the bill.
"There are a lot of other lists I'd like to see out there besides that one," she said. "We don't have a registry for wife abusers and child abusers, so why animal abusers?" Beavers' issue with the bill comes from the fact that Tennessee's second public database after sex offenders could relate to animals, while the state doesn't yet have a registry for repeat drunken drivers, or for those who commit crimes against people.
Supporters of the bill quickly point out the flawed logic of Beavers and other proponents, by citing the research of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Since the 1970s, the FBI has recognized a common element in many serial killers lives being that most had killed or tortured animals in the past.Analysts estimate that at least three people convicted of violent offenses against animals would be added to the registry each year. According to LeighAnn McCullum, Tennessee state director for the Humane Society of the United Sates, the registry could be the first of its kind in the country.
"If it's successful in Tennessee, we'd certainly like to model other states' legislation after it," McCullum said. "These crimes are really about victimization. We know that harming an animal is often the first step toward harming a human."
The bill is scheduled for a subcommittee of the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday.
Other notable animal legislation already passed in Tennessee is the state's law on restitution for the wrongful killing of a companion animal.Under the law, the maximum recovery can be $4,000, which is a far cry from most other states which allows only for the purchase price of the animal.
To read SB 2676 - HB 2803, go to legislature.state.tn.us/bills/currentga/BILL/SB2676.pdf
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 Breed Of the Month
Miniature Pinscher
Also known as the Min Pin by fanciers, is a toy breed of dog. Miniature Pinschers were first bred to hunt vermin, especially rats. In its native Germany, the dog is known as the Zwergpinscher. Pinscher, refers to a biting motion or action. Zwerg, in German, means Dwarf or Midget and Pinscher, in German, means biter. The Miniature Pinscher is also known as the "King of the Toy Dogs". Though the Miniature Pinscher is considered a toy breed, it is in fact one of the oldest of the terrier breeds. Only in the North America and the United Kingdom is this breed in the toy classification. In Europe and it's native Germany it competes against the German Pinscher and is listed in as a terrier.
As a single coated breed they are primarily an indoor breed. Note that this breed should never be off leash in public. Being a sight dog and natural hunter, they will react to quick movement and are prone to bolt. They do not do cold or wet weather well. This breed lives in a state of "terrible two's" into their senior years which makes them very entertaining yet sometimes frustrating. They can in many cases be difficult to house train. Being an independent breed by nature, they prefer to initiate contact and generally do not do well being overly handled. This is where the stereotype of the breed being a biter comes from.
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| Build: |
Small, compact, muscular, sleek, with well-chiseled lines |
| Weight: |
Dogs 8-12 lb (4-5 kg) |
| Height: |
Dogs 10-12.5 inch (25-30 cm) |
| Coat: |
Short, easy-care |
| Color: |
Red, black & tan or chocolate |
| Head: |
In proportion to body |
| Teeth: |
Scissors bite |
| Eyes: |
Dark, bright, oval | | |
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