Town Meeting decided on Tuesday to further study a proposed bylaw aimed to prevent dog bites and excessive dog barking after voters expressed concern that the regulations were too restrictive to individual dog owners.

"Who protects owner rights?" asked dog owner and Selectmen-elect Peter Teitelbaum who suggested that a committee be formed to study and draft a bylaw to be brought before October Town Meeting.

Current Selectmen Cara Winslow agreed with Teitelbaum and said that when a dog bites someone in her home, penalties apply.

"We have a rule in my house: dog bites, dog goes," she said.

The proposed bylaw would have imposed penalties on dog owners if their dog attacked or threatened to attack another person or animal. It also imposed penalties for dogs that howled or barked for more than 15 continuous minutes after 10 p.m. until 7 a.m.

Cheryl Gorveatt-Dill, Wareham Animal Control Officer and proponent of the article, expressed concern about pit bulls, especially, and the potential for dog bites.

"These dogs are a loaded gun, what we're trying to do is [enact] safety measures immediately," said Gorveatt-Dill about dogs that are dangerous.

Barbara Gomes Beach, spoke on the necessity of regulations for violent dogs. She said she and her 11-pound pup were attacked by a pit bull while walking in her neighborhood.

"There was $800 dollars in veterinary and in personal medical bills because we were both injured. The pit bull had my dog in his mouth." Gomes Beach said. "There are children in my neighborhood that play on my street. If that had been a child, we would not be debating this issue."

Ultimately, the proposed bylaw failed, though voters OK'd the creation of a "Dog Regulation By-law Committee," which will meet once per month and draft a bylaw for approval at Town Meeting in the fall.

The five-member committee will consist of the Animal Control Officer, one member of the Board of Selectmen, and three citizens-at-large.