HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 101

(By Delegates Frich and Miley)




Requesting that the Joint Committee on Government and Finance study the feasibility and effectiveness of requiring owners of vicious dogs to carry liability insurance and how it may prevent injury and death to other animals and people and help compensate victims.

Whereas, Vicious dogs have been known to cause serious injury and death to other animals and individuals, in particular children who may be more vulnerable; and
Whereas, The Legislature has established that there is a need to regulate and control vicious dogs by enacting provisions in the Code of West Virginia such as sections twenty and twenty-one, article twenty, chapter nineteen; and
Whereas, A requirement of owners of vicious dogs to carry liability insurance on these vicious dogs may be a deterrent to the owners' being irresponsible in keeping them, thus potentially preventing serious injury and death; and
Whereas, Owners of vicious dogs should carry liability insurance on the vicious digs in order to compensate and make whole those persons who may suffer serious injury or to compensate and make whole family members and dependents if death occurs; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
The Joint Committee on Government and Finance is requested to study the feasibility and effectiveness of requiring owners of vicious dogs to carry liability insurance and how it may prevent injury and death to other animals and people and compensate victims; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations, to the next regular session of the Legislature; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the expenses necessary to carry out its duties, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.