Councilmember Carol Schwartz
A BILL IN THE
COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
Councilmember Carol Schwartz introduced the following bill, which was referred to the
Committee on Human Services.
To amend the Dangerous Dog Amendment Act of 1988 to classify Pit bulls as de facto dangerous
dogs and require owner’s compliance with dangerous dog provisions of the act.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this act may be cited as
the "Dangerous Dog Amendment Act of 2001 ".
Sec. 2. The Dangerous Dog Amendment Act of 1988, effective June 9, 1988 (D.C. Law
7-176; D.C. Code §6-1021 et seq.), is amended as follows:
(a) Section 2 (1)(A) (D.C. Code § 6-1021.1(1)(A)) is amended as follows:
(1) Subparagraph (i) is amended by striking the "or" after the word
"provocation".
(2) Subparagraph (ii) is amended by striking the period and inserting "; or"
in its place.
(3) A new subparagraph (iii) is added to read as follows:
"(iii) The breed of dogs known as Pit bull, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, American
Staffordshire Terrier, American Pit bull Terrier, or any dog that exhibits the physical
characteristics of a pit bull as defined in this paragraph. The hearing process in
section 3 of this act shall not apply to a Pit bull.".
(b) Section 4 is amended by inserting the phrase "a dog is a Pit bull or"
after the word "if’.
Sec. 3. Fiscal impact statement
The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the Committee Report as the fiscal
impact statement required by section 602(c)(3) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act,
approved December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Code sec. 1-233(c)(3).
Sec. 4. Effective Date
This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor ( or in the
event of a veto by the Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), approval by the
Financial Responsibility and Management Assistance Act of 1995, approved April 17, 1995
(109 Stat. 116; D.C. Code § 47392.3(a)), a 30-day period of Congressional review as
provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December
24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Code §1-233(c)(1)), and publication in the District of
Columbia Register.