Lawmakers Muzzle Dangerous Dog Bill

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Lawmakers yank the leash on legislation that would give cities and towns the authority to ban dangerous dogs. <br/><br/>A motion today by Republican Representative Sue Tibbs of Tulsa

Monday, February 12th 2007, 7:33 pm

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ Lawmakers yank the leash on legislation that would give cities and towns the authority to ban dangerous dogs.

A motion today by Republican Representative Sue Tibbs of Tulsa to kill the bill failed to get a second and no member of the House County and Municipal Goverment Subcommittee moved to pass it.

Republican Representative Paul Wesselhoft of Moore sponsored the ball.

Last year, Wesselhoft filed an unsuccessful bill to ban pit bull terriers and other dogs considered dangerous.

He says his bill would return the right to outlaw certain dogs to cities and towns. That authority now lies exlusively with state lawmakers.

It would also give county governments the authority to approve ordinances regarding dangerous dogs when they see a public health risk.

Tibbs says she opposes Wesselhoft's bill because the Legislature last year passed a measure that exposes dog owners whose pets attack people to hefty fines.

Tibbs also says the legislation may be difficult to enforce.