Zupkus Supports Effort to Clarify Horse Designation

HARTFORD — State Rep. Lezlye Zupkus said she supports a legislative proposal that seeks to ensure horses aren’t considered “inherently dangerous” animals.

The legislation introduced by Gov. Dannel Malloy has been referred to the legislature’s Environment Committee, where it’s likely to receive a public hearing.

The proposal (H.B. 5044) is tied to a pending Supreme Court case involving a 2006 incident where a horse bit a child when he attempted to pet it. An appellate court in 2012 found that the horse’s owner was at fault because horses are “a species naturally inclined to do mischief or be vicious.”

Zupkus, who represents Bethany, Cheshire and Prospect, said she’s heard from constituents who are worried about the far-reaching implications of that appellate court decision.

“Labeling horses ‘vicious’ could, for example, trigger increased insurance rates or, even worse, make a horse owner or a horse owner’s business uninsurable,” said Zupkus, who contends that personal injury cases involving horses should be evaluated on a case-by-case bases. “As it stands, this is a common sense proposal that I intend to advocate for during this legislative session.”

She encourages constituents concerned about this issue to contact her office to stay updated on the bill’s progress, including how to offer testimony on the proposal.

Zupkus can be reached at 800-842-1423 or lezlye.zupkus@housegop.ct.gov.