Bill labels mixed pit bulls 'dangerous'

SANTA FE (KRQE) - A new proposal would brand mixed-breed pit bulls as "dangerous dogs" under state law, and owners of the breed would need to take extra steps to make sure the dogs don't harm people or other animals.

Under current state law, a dangerous dog is any dog that has seriously injured or killed a person or another animal, or one that is highly aggressive without being provoked.

But Sen. Sue Wilson Beffort, R-Sandia Park, who sponsored the 2005 legislation, plans to introduce another bill that strengthens the current law.

"It is the responsibility of a legislator to ensure that people are safe when their children are walking down the street and riding their bikes and jogging and such," Beffort said.

Beffort said she wants a new law to state that a mixed-breed pit bull, by nature, is a dangerous dog regardless of whether it's ever attacked. It would require owners of the breed to take out a $100,000 liability insurance policy and mandate the dogs be muzzled in public.

Owners who violate the rules would have their dogs taken away and could face misdemeanor, or even felony, charges.

A mixed-breed pit bill is defined as an American pit bull terrier, an American Staffordshire terrier or a Staffordshire bull terrier. The law would not apply to purebred pit bulls that are registered with the American Kennel Club or the United Kennel Club .

"The maulings that have occurred have all been done by mixed-breed pit bulls," said Beffort.

Beffort referenced a recent attack on a Truth or Consequences woma n. Margaret Salcedo, 48, died in April after four pit bulls escaped from their owner's yard and attacked her.

The dogs' owners, John and Maria Hardiman, were charged in October with five felonies including four counts of having a dangerous dogs.

"The owner needs to know in advance that if they have a non-thoroughbred pit bull that the dog doesn't have to be provoked," said Beffort.

But animal activists, including those who work for the city of Albuquerque's Animal Welfare Department, said the new law could be a death sentence for thousands of pit bulls.

"This is going to deter people from taking pit bulls, and I think that's the idea," said policy analyst Jim Ludwick, who works for the city of Albuquerque. "Racism is considered despicable, and this is what this is. This is racism applied to dogs."

Ludwick said owners should take responsibility and caution for their dogs regardless of the breed. Nineteen percent of all dogs taken into Albuquerque's Eastside Animal Shelter this year have been mixed-breed pit bulls, according to city data.

"We can't find homes for dogs under those conditions," said Ludwick. "I don't want to kill pit bulls by the thousands for no reason."

But Beffort said it's a matter of public safety.

"At some point, a legislator has to assume the public has not been served well by a bill that was not strong enough to protect society," said Beffort.

Beffort wants to introduce the bill in the 30-day legislative session that begins Jan. 17. Thirty-day sessions are reserved for budget and tax issues, so for Beffort's bill to be heard, the governor has to put it on the agenda.

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