Insurance policy for pit bull owners in Brazil

Pit bull owners are going to need more than just a leash when they take their dogs for a walk in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

Rio Mayor Cesar Maia issued a decree yesterday requiring the owners of pit bulls and other "potentially dangerous dogs" to carry insurance policies of at least 100,00 reals ($98,000) to compensate the victims of any attacks.

Pit bull attacks are a common occurrence in Rio de Janeiro, where the dogs are a favourite companion of members of a violent subculture of martial arts practitioners known as Pit Boys.