Proposed Law Packs Bite for Owners of Dogs that Attack

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AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) A Maine legislative committee has signed off on a proposal that requires dog owners to assist people who are attacked by their animals.

The bill requires the owner of a dog that assaults a person to get aid for the injured person, contain the dog and provide a name and contact information to the injured person. The rules would apply when a dog injures a person to the point where the wounds require medical attention.

The proposal from Republican Sen. Matt Pouliot of Kennebec states that leaving an injured person without taking the appropriate measures would be a crime. Pouliot says he submitted the bill on behalf of a resident who was mauled by two dogs in a parking lot and received no help from the dogs’ owner.

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