Austin dog owner convicted of felony

[A-R]

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Reginald Welton, 38, faces two to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced by state District Judge Mike Lynch on April 6. Welton waived trial by jury.

Welton, who owns the mobile food trailer Reggie’s, testified today that he been visiting family in Beaumont and had left the dogs in the care of a friend when the attack occurred.

State District Judge Mike Lynch said that Welton was negligent in not securing his flimsy backyard fencing knowing that the dogs had escaped a month and a half earlier.

“It’s pretty common knowledge that energetic dogs … get bored and restless and look around for things to do,” Lynch said. “It seems to me that a prudent person, once his young pit bulls have escaped … would have gone back and looked at that backyard and made major changes.”

The conviction is the first in Travis County under Lillian’s Law, which in 2007 made the failure to secure dogs that then cause bodily injury a felony crime. If someone dies, it becomes a second-degree felony.

[AEA]

Maybe irresponsible dog owners should be responsible instead of idiots.

The majority of these types of stories (and outcomes) pertain to what is known as "Backyard Breeders". These people have no care or concern for their dogs and their purpose is only to constantly breed and sell dogs as fast as they can.

They have no feelings for their dogs, their neighborhoods or their customers.

I have one that lives next door to me. He has already had several dogs taken away by Animal Control (Court Order) and destroyed. Problem is he hides his breeding pairs when Animal Control comes around. His dogs (Pit's) routinely get out of the non functional fence and have bitten children and adults in the neighborhood. One even killed a family pet of a neighbor while the children watched!

Yet local enforcement does not do their job to ensure that ALL dogs are removed from the premises.

[speedsix]

...that kicks in AFTER the dog acts out and does damage so that the authorities judge him dangerous...doesn't help the first bitee much...homeowners' insurance should provide enough coverage for most situations...I'm in agreement that it's ALWAYS the owner's responsibility to contain and NEVER the dog's...they're just being dogs...

[Oldgringo]

...that kicks in AFTER the dog acts out and does damage so that the authorities judge him dangerous...doesn't help the first bitee much...homeowners' insurance should provide enough coverage for most situations...I'm in agreement that it's ALWAYS the owner's responsibility to contain and NEVER the dog's...they're just being dogs...

A Liability Policy on top of your other insurance is a good investment in case you ever need it. If you never need it, a Liability Policy is a waste of money.

[speedsix]

...that's the way with all insurance...it's a waste of money till it saves your butt...kinda like feedin donuts to the nebbermind....

[AEA]

If you had all the insurance that is available (and you need?) you would not be able to live cause you could not afford to eat!

I guess the next thing we will see from the "Idiot in Chief" will be "Affordable Insurance Reform" ..........

Oh.......he's already started with his "Affordable Health Care" plan!

[papajohn1964]

maybe you should be required to have insurance if you have a dog

Why should all dog owners have to get insurance? I have a Schnauzer and a Chaweinie (yep that's what the Vet said he was chihuahua and dauchsen) and neither of them would bite anyone. I think making it a Felony if your dog gets out and bites someone is a great idea. Punish them and not the rest of us!

[AEA]

[03Lightningrocks]

There are insurance companies that refuse to insure the homeowner if they have certain "known dangerous" breeds on the premises. Usually they include the infamous pitbull. I have seen poodles that are more aggressive than some of these "known dangerous" breeds.

[Oldgringo]

There are insurance companies that refuse to insure the homeowner if they have certain "known dangerous" breeds on the premises. Usually they include the infamous pitbull. I have seen poodles that are more aggressive than some of these "known dangerous" breeds.

Our much beloved Miniature Poodle, Mindy, didn't know how miniature she was. She'd take on a rhinocerous if it came after her Mommy and Daddy. God, how we loved that little black angel.

[03Lightningrocks]

There are insurance companies that refuse to insure the homeowner if they have certain "known dangerous" breeds on the premises. Usually they include the infamous pitbull. I have seen poodles that are more aggressive than some of these "known dangerous" breeds.

Our much beloved Miniature Poodle, Mindy, didn't know how miniature she was. She'd take on a rhinocerous if it came after her Mommy and Daddy. God, how we loved that little black angel.

If nobody told her she wasn't a big mean dog, she would never know.

[Ameer]

There are insurance companies that refuse to insure the homeowner if they have certain "known dangerous" breeds on the premises. Usually they include the infamous pitbull. I have seen poodles that are more aggressive than some of these "known dangerous" breeds.

That sounds like a good opportunity for someone to sell "known dangerous" breed insurance if the actual risk is low.