Illinois lawmakers today sent Gov. Rod Blagojevich a bill amending the state's Aniimal Control Act to establish a 'potentially dangerous dog' category.
The bill, which passed the Senate 56-1 and the House 102-5, defines a potentially dangerous dog as one that is unsupervised and 'found running at large with 3 or more other dogs'
A dog declared potentially dangerous cannot be reclaimed from an animal shelter by its owner unless the owner agrees to spay or neuter it, and to microchip it within 14 days.
Failure of the owner to do so will subject the dog to impoundment and the owner to a $500 fine.
A dog owner wishing to appeal a decision that a dog is potentially dangerous could do so in an administrative hearing before the animal shelter administrator, or file suit in circuit court.
The bill exempts hunting dogs engaged in legal hunting or training activities and dogs exercising in dog parks if they are monitored or supervised by a person.
The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals praised the bill. “This is an important public safety measure which will go a long way in preventing future fatal dog attacks in the state of Illinois—not to mention curbing animal overpopulation. We commend the state of Illinois in taking this important step forward in dealing with this critical issue,' said Ed Sayres, president & CEO of the ASPCA.
The bill also provides that animal shelters cannot release any dog or cat to anyone other than its owner unless the dog or cat has been spayed or neutered and has a microchip installed. Someone adopting a dog or cat would have up to sign a wrtten agreement to have the procedures performed within 30 days. (Link to Text of act available in original article)
Sen. Mike Jacobs, D-East Moline and Reps. Mike Boland, D-East Moline and Pat Verschoore, D-Milan, all voted in favor of the measure. So did Sen. Todd Sieben, R-Geneseo, and Reps. Jerry Mitchell, R-Rock Falls, and Jim Sacia, R-Freeport.
http://qconline.com/archives/qco/display.php?id=341406