I love dogs, I really do. I have a 125 pound Newfoundland and an 11 pound miniature dachshund to prove it. But when it comes to dog bites, I tend to agree with the rule in Connecticut that it's one bite and you're out.

Connecticut has what is called strict liability when it comes to dog bites. That means unless the person who was bitten was in some way "tormenting or teasing" the dog, then if they get bit, you are going to pay. And pay dearly you may. In this case the the award was $200,000 for bites sustained by a Bridgeport physician's assistant at the jaws of her neighbor's unrestrained pit bull.

There is no excuse for anything like that happening. If you own or keep a dog, especailly one that may have a tendency to bite, then you owe it to the public at large to keep the dog secured. If you don't and someone gets hurt, the next call you make better be to your homeowner's insurance company's claims department.