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Senate amends statute to specify livestock included in dangerous‑dog enforcement
Summary
Senate Bill 733 was passed to clarify that Oregon's dangerous‑dog statute applies to dogs that attack livestock, enabling counties to use enhanced enforcement when free‑running dogs harm farm animals; the measure passed on final reading.
Senate Bill 733 clarifies state law to include livestock within the definition of animals protected under statutes addressing dangerous or nuisance dogs, a change sponsors said will allow county authorities to pursue stronger enforcement when free‑running dogs attack or kill farm animals.
Senator Gelser Blewett, who introduced the bill, described constituent cases in which alpacas and other livestock were harmed by neighborhood dogs and said existing county enforcement options were limited because the statute's definition did not explicitly include livestock. She told the Senate the bill "clarifies that livestock are included, so that if there is a nuisance dog, they can be moved and they can be subject to the potentially dangerous dog statute, which allows more enforcement, to be able to keep the animals safe."
Supporters said the bill was a narrow fix to address enforcement gaps that surfaced in constituent complaints; the measure received committee consideration and was presented for third reading. The bill passed final passage and was declared passed with a constitutional majority (27 ayes).
