ANNAPOLIS — A Maryland lawmaker says a compromise measure has been worked out to address a court ruling that pit bulls are an “inherently dangerous” breed.

Sen. Brian Frosh said Thursday that the bill creates a presumption that a dog owner should know whether his or her pet is likely to present a danger. That shifts the burden away from a victim to prove a dog had a propensity to be violent.

Maryland’s highest court ruled last year that pit-bulls are “inherently dangerous.” The ruling made owners and landlords liable for pit bull bites.

Frosh, a Democrat, says the bill would only hold landlords liable if they know or should have known a dangerous dog was being housed on the landlord’s property.

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