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Pit Bull Bite Liability Bill Fails In Special Session

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ)—The controversial law labeling pit bulls as inherently dangerous for now is still moving forward after Maryland's General Assembly is unable to reach an agreement during its special session.

Monique Griego has more on what opponents plan to do.

The law could go into effect any day now, and those against it are running out of options.

After an intense debate over pit bulls, Maryland's General Assembly deadlocked on legislation that would have stopped a controversial law labeling pit bulls as inherently dangerous from taking effect.

"We're obviously disappointed that no action was taken. This is obviously still a very urgent issue for pets and people," said Aileen Gabbey from the Maryland SPCA.

Gabbey says there's only one thing left standing in the way of the bill.

Supporters of the breed have asked the Maryland Court of Appeals for a motion for reconsideration. A decision could come any day now.

But if it's denied, the law will go into effect and animal advocates won't be able to fight it until the next session in January.

"That will be a tough several months to get through, but that's what we're waiting for," Gabbey said.

But the law does have its supporters.

"It tackled him, bit him in the face, drug him to the ground, bit him in the arm, and ultimately it got him in the femoral artery," said Tony Solesky.

Five years ago, Solesky's son Dominic almost bled to death after he was attacked by a neighbor's pit bull in Towson.

Ever since, Solesky has been trying to sue the dog owner's landlord for negligence.

His case is what led to the court's inherently dangerous ruling.

The law allows owners and landlords to be held to a higher liability.

"It gives people like my son who are mauled, not bitten, the right to seek recourse. It's all about accountability," Solesky said.

Pit bull supporters say they believe lawmakers will change the law when they take up the issue in January.

A decision from the Maryland Court of Appeals on a motion for reconsideration could come any day now.

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