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New State Law Makes Vicious Dog Attacks A Felony

Pet owners better get a tighter grip on their dog leashes.

Just three weeks ago, the Texas Legislature passed a new law, making it a felony if an owner’s pet kills or seriously injures another. The pet owner could even face jail time, even if it’s the animal’s first attack.

Law Evolved from Fatal Attack on Elderly Woman in 2005

The law stems from the fatal mauling of 76-year-old Lillian Stiles, who was attacked and killed by a pack of dogs in central Texas in November, 2005. The owner of the pit bull-Rottweiler mixes was charged with criminally negligent homicide.

The dog pack pulled Stiles’ hair from her scalp and tore off her clothes. The maul was so severe, she was barely recognizable to her husband, the Associated Press reported.

"If my father didn't know what my mother had been wearing, he wouldn't have known it was her," said Stiles' daughter, Marilyn Stiles Shoemaker. "That's the last image my dad has of mom, seeing her like that. After 55 years of marriage, that's real hard."

Rep. Gattis Names Bill, "Lillian's Law"

Representative Dan Gattis of Georgetown filed Texas House Bill 1355, dubbed "Lillian's Law," which would leave dog owners facing a second-degree felony and two to 20 years in prison if their animal attacks and kills or causes serious bodily injury. In the past, it was the animal, not the owner who suffered the consequences, in some cases, euthanasia.

Attorney Jeff Shaver of the Texas Responsible Pet Owners Alliance supports making dog owners responsible for their pets, but he said many live in areas where dogs are legally allowed to roam free.

"Dogs, like kids, sometimes get out of a yard and do something they're not supposed to do, and you're going to create a whole new class of felons," Shaver said. "It potentially could affect a lot of people in a bad way, people who aren't criminals. Do we really want to make people in this category the same as burglars and rapists?" he asked.

Said Keane Menefee of the Fort Worth Animal Care and Control, “Any tool we can get to protect our citizens is vital.” Animal control officers said the problem is the pet owner who trains dogs to fight or allows them to run off-leash.

The Centers for Disease Control's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control reported dogs bite 4.7 million people a year, with 800,000 requiring medical attention. Of that number, 386,000 need emergency treatment and 12 die.

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