Bill calls for seizing dogs after attack

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Martin, a Pickens Republican, filed the bill following the death Monday of a 4-year-old Spartanburg girl, killed by her family's two Rottweilers, and a Rottweiler's attack Friday on Beth Padgett, editor of The Greenville News editorial page.

Martin said it's typical that an animal is detained and put down after killing someone, as the Spartanburg dogs were, though state law doesn't require it. But it's cases like Padgett's that have him upset.

Padgett drove past the home in her neighborhood where the Rottweiler that attacked her lived after she'd been to the hospital, and the dog was still in the yard. Under state law, a dog that's bitten someone can stay at home as long as it's confined, but both Padgett and Martin say the law should be stricter.

"In Ms. Padgett's case, where the dog was back in the yard before she was home from the hospital, I just found that offensive," Martin said. "I'm just absolutely, highly offended that we would put a vicious dog's rights over the safety of the neighborhood. It's a dog."

Sen. Ralph Anderson, D-Greenville, said he and most other senators support the bill. Anderson made a motion Tuesday for the bill to bypass the committee process and go straight to a Senate vote, he said, but the Senate decided to send it to committee.

The Rottweiler in Padgett's case was taken to a facility under court order later Friday evening.

State law now allows a dangerous animal to be seized and impounded until the trial if the animal isn't confined. A separate state law says animals that have bitten someone should be quarantined for 10 days while being observed for signs of rabies. But the animal can be quarantined at home. Even if it's at a shelter or health facility, the animal can be returned to its owner after the 10 days if it shows no signs of rabies.