10/09/2025

House Bill 247

Lead Sponsors: Representative Kevin Miller and Representative Meredith Lawsom-Row

Status: Passed the House, 97-0 (June 18, 2025); First hearing in Senate Judiciary (October 1, 2025)

Description: The bill makes a host of changes to the law pertaining to dangerous dogs.

The bill imposes criminal penalties on dog owners who negligently fail to keep their dog from committing unprovoked violent acts, even if the dog has not previously committed a violent act. This removes the "one free bite" loophole.

During criminal proceedings, the court may order the dog to be euthanized by a licensed veterinarian or the county dog warden at the owner's expense. If the dog seriously injures or kills a person, the court is required to order the dog be euthanized.

The process for dog designation hearings (where a dog may be labeled a "nuisance," "dangerous," or "vicious" dog, referred to throughout as "NDV dogs") is altered to, among other changes, create a shorter timeline, include additional evidence in the determination of probably cause, and modify the circumstances under which the owner may retain possession of the dog during the hearing process.

The penalty for dogs running at large is increased if the dog has previously received a designation as an NDV dog.

Dog wardens who believe a dog is being treated inhumanely are required to notify the applicable humane society or law enforcement agency. Under current law, the dog warden must apply to a court for an order to seize the dog.

County auditors must notify the applicable county dog warden when the auditor registers an NDV dog or receives notice that the owner of such a dog has changed address.

A variety of additional NDV dog provisions are modified, including:

• Eliminating an exemption that allows NDV dogs to engage in hunting activities;
• Mandates that NDV dog owners obtain at least $100,000 in liability insurance, and establishes that failure to obtain such insurance is a misdemeanor of the fourth degree;
• Requiring that NDV dog owners disclose the dog's status to trainers or veterinarians who will be providing services to the dog; and
• Establishes that certain prohibitions regarding NDV dogs are strict liability offenses.

Nonprofit animal shelters are exempt from registration requirements and from certain requirements governing NDV dogs if the shelter uses due diligence in ascertaining the dog's status before taking possession.

One non-dog provision of the bill of note is the repeal of provisions that allow livestock owners to make a claim for reimbursement of the value of an animal if the animal is injured or killed by a coyote or black vulture and requires the county dog warden to investigate such claims.

CCAO Position: Proponent