AUGUSTA – Anna Sanborn, 14, of Livermore was very proud of the goats and other animals she raised as a member of the local 4-H club.

She said she was devastated when they were attacked by a neighbor’s pit bulls. The attacks cost the family $12,000 in lost profits and veterinarian bills.

Sen. John Nutting, D-Leeds, heard about the Sanborns’ plight and submitted a bill to require owners to keep dangerous dogs in an enclosed area. If the owners fail to comply, they could be charged with a criminal offense.

The committee will vote on the bill April 18. Nutting said he has invited someone from the district attorney’s office to speak about why the prosecution doesn’t have much power in such a situation.

In March, a judge placed a restraining order against the neighbor, Peter Drown Jr., 40, of Livermore, who said he would appeal.

Tammy Sanborn and her 14-year-old daughter, Anna, testified in front of the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee on Friday in favor of Nutting’s bill.

Anna brought a binder with her with photos of her animals. She was so excited to be able to care for them, she told the committee.

“This all came to an end after having three separate pit bull attack on my animals in 2006,” she said. “The first attack, the pit bulls broke my goat’s leg and dislocated the back hip. We had to put the goat to sleep. The owner had to pay a $150 fine.”

She told the committee, “I ask you today to please pass this dangerous dog bill to protect anyone from having to experience what I have gone through,” she testified. “To this day, I still live in fear these dogs will be back to kill again, who will it be this time?”

Mark Holt, a neighbor of the Sanborns, also testified.

“We have been made prisoners in our own home by their pit bulls and Rottweilers,” he said.

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