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IL-Park Ridge’s dangerous-animals law gets 2nd look
Park Ridge’s dangerous-animals law gets 2nd look
By Jon Davis
chicagotribune.com
Special to the Tribune
September 18, 2009
Park Ridge is considering changes to its dangerous-animals ordinance after three incidents this summer in which dogs attacked people and small dogs.
The updates would tighten the definition of dangerous animals, the rules under which they can be kept, and update license fees and violation fines.
Aldermen this week sent the proposed changes back to city officials for further review and agreed to revisit the draft legislation in October. They emphasized that the proposed changes do not target breeds.
“I think it’s important for the residents to see that this is not breed-specific,†said Ald. Frank Wsol.
Among the draft legislation’s provisions — drawn from, or influenced by ordinances in Evanston, Buffalo Grove, Maywood, and San Diego — an owner of a dangerous animal would have to:
–Show proof of at least $100,000 in liability insurance coverage upon the request of a police or animal control officer, and post “beware of dog†or “dangerous dog†signs on all property entrances.
–Spay or neuter the animal and have an identification microchip implanted, at owner’s expense.
–Keep the animal muzzled and on a leash when off their own properties.
–Install an exterior cage at least 5 feet tall, or keep the animal indoors.The city defines a dangerous animal as any that attacks unprovoked or has a reputation for viciousness. Whether an animal is considered dangerous is at the discretion of the police chief.
The proposal would expand the definition of a dangerous animal to include dogs trained as attack or guard dogs, except for police dogs, and “any animal which, without provocation, in a vicious or terrorizing manner approaches any person in an apparent attitude of attack, whether or not the attack is consummated or capable of being consummated.â€
“It is restrictive,†Police Chief Frank Kaminski said. “People are weighing the balance of dangerous dogs versus the safety of the community.â€
But George Kirkland, of the 1900 block of Des Plaines Avenue, said the “apparent attitude of attack†clause is too broad and likely to generate a backlash from dog owners across Park Ridge.
Dogs, even in fenced yards, can seem about to attack passersby because they instinctively protect their territory from animals or people, Kirkland said.
“You started with a draft that tries to protect everyone from everything, and the political reality is that it won’t work that way,†Kirkland said.
Moreover, he added, the city must make exceptions for Paws Park, 2800 Oakton Ave., where dogs are allowed to run free. Dogs’ behavior there could include aggression, play, or even reasonable defensive responses to aggression, he said.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/northnorthwest/chi-park-ridge-dogs-18-sep18,0,1250092.story
Park Ridge’s dangerous-animals law gets 2nd look
By Jon Davis
chicagotribune.com
Special to the Tribune
September 18, 2009
Park Ridge is considering changes to its dangerous-animals ordinance after three incidents this summer in which dogs attacked people and small dogs.
The updates would tighten the definition of dangerous animals, the rules under which they can be kept, and update license fees and violation fines.
Aldermen this week sent the proposed changes back to city officials for further review and agreed to revisit the draft legislation in October. They emphasized that the proposed changes do not target breeds.
“I think it’s important for the residents to see that this is not breed-specific,†said Ald. Frank Wsol.
Among the draft legislation’s provisions — drawn from, or influenced by ordinances in Evanston, Buffalo Grove, Maywood, and San Diego — an owner of a dangerous animal would have to:
–Show proof of at least $100,000 in liability insurance coverage upon the request of a police or animal control officer, and post “beware of dog†or “dangerous dog†signs on all property entrances.
–Spay or neuter the animal and have an identification microchip implanted, at owner’s expense.
–Keep the animal muzzled and on a leash when off their own properties.
–Install an exterior cage at least 5 feet tall, or keep the animal indoors.The city defines a dangerous animal as any that attacks unprovoked or has a reputation for viciousness. Whether an animal is considered dangerous is at the discretion of the police chief.
The proposal would expand the definition of a dangerous animal to include dogs trained as attack or guard dogs, except for police dogs, and “any animal which, without provocation, in a vicious or terrorizing manner approaches any person in an apparent attitude of attack, whether or not the attack is consummated or capable of being consummated.â€
“It is restrictive,†Police Chief Frank Kaminski said. “People are weighing the balance of dangerous dogs versus the safety of the community.â€
But George Kirkland, of the 1900 block of Des Plaines Avenue, said the “apparent attitude of attack†clause is too broad and likely to generate a backlash from dog owners across Park Ridge.
Dogs, even in fenced yards, can seem about to attack passersby because they instinctively protect their territory from animals or people, Kirkland said.
“You started with a draft that tries to protect everyone from everything, and the political reality is that it won’t work that way,†Kirkland said.
Moreover, he added, the city must make exceptions for Paws Park, 2800 Oakton Ave., where dogs are allowed to run free. Dogs’ behavior there could include aggression, play, or even reasonable defensive responses to aggression, he said.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/northnorthwest/chi-park-ridge-dogs-18-sep18,0,1250092.story