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Committee approves Pam Rock Act to create statewide dangerous-dog registry and new penalties
Summary
The Senate Committee on Agriculture reported SB 572 favorably. The bill would create a statewide registry of dangerous dogs, require permanent ID and insurance, and raise criminal penalties for repeat or severe attacks; victims' family members testified in support.
SB 572, the Pam Rock Act, was reported favorably by the Senate Committee on Agriculture after sponsor testimony and emotional victim statements from family members of attack survivors.
Senator Collins, sponsor, told the committee the bill "creates a statewide dangerous dog registry, or an online database, that lists dogs declared dangerous by local authorities." She explained the measure would require owners of dogs declared dangerous to provide a permit, permanent identification by tattoo or microchip, spay or neuter the animal and obtain liability insurance of at least $100,000.
The bill also revises criminal penalties tied to prior declarations and injury outcomes: Collins said the bill makes certain repeat or severe attacks subject to misdemeanor or felony charges depending on prior declarations and whether the attack caused severe injury or death.
Thomas Rock and other family members testified in support and described victims harmed by dog attacks. Thomas Rock said the bill is not breed specific and "applies to those particular animals that are aggressive and dangerous." He recounted the 2023 attack that killed his sister Pam Rock, who had served with WIC and the Peace Corps, and other victims cited in committee testimony. The sponsor cited 2023 data about insurance payouts and bite-related claims when explaining the $100,000 insurance threshold.
Committee members raised questions about due process for owners, the scope of information kept in the registry, provocation and whether the bill would increase animal confiscations. Collins said the bill includes an appeal process and that evidence presented in adjudication would determine whether a dog is declared dangerous; she also said she would work with colleagues on language about registry privacy and county capacity to house confiscated animals.
On roll call, Senators Bernard, Boyd, Burton, Versailles, Vice Chair Graw and Chair Trudeau voted yes; the clerk recorded that "SB 5 72 is reported favorably."
Ending: The bill advanced with sponsor and victim testimony emphasizing public safety and accountability; committee members signaled they'll continue refining language on due process, data in the registry and implementation details.
