Elgin, Illinois, to look at how long dogs are dangerous

ILLINOIS -- When dogs are labeled "dangerous" or "vicious" by the city of Elgin, that label sticks indefinitely -- but city council members are debating whether that should change under certain circumstances.

Councilman John Prigge sparked the discussion last week when he said the city shouldn't lower fines imposed on residents found guilty of violating the animal control ordinance. Fines of $1,000 have been reduced to as low as $100, which means animal owners are not worried about consequences for their dogs' bad behavior, Prigge said.

The idea, however, didn't get any traction among other council members. "I'm hesitant to take away the discretionary authority of staff," Councilman Rich Dunne said.

In 2011 Dakota, a Stafford terrier, was placed on the City's "dangerous
dog" list for being off leash and fighting with a neighbor's dog.
Dakota has since been evaluated, gone through training and
 now works as a "therapy dog" on Sundays.

Corporation Counsel Bill Cogley said that before negotiating fines, the city requires partial payment and compliance with other terms of the judgment, such wearing a muzzle and microchip, getting dog liability insurance, going through dog behavior training, and more.

"Our primary concern in these first offenses is for public safety and to obtain compliance," he said.
Council members, on the other hand, liked Councilman Terry Gavin's idea possibly allowing the dangerous or vicious designation to expire after dogs have exhibited good behavior for some time.

"Even a convicted felon serves his time and is allowed to go back into society," Gavin said. "Dogs have no limit on it (their penalty)."

Gavin's motion to direct staff members to look into the issue was approved 7-1, with Prigge voting "no" and Councilman Toby Shaw absent.

Fines for dogs' dangerous and vicious behavior range from $50 to $750; biting and attacking carry a minimum $1,000 fine, Assistant Corporation Counsel Christopher Beck said. Also, owners of vicious dogs must display a warning sign on their property, he said.

There are 24 dangerous dogs and three vicious dogs in Elgin, with the most recent case occurring in January, Beck said. Some such dog owners in the past have left the city because of the restrictions imposed, while others chose to euthanize their dogs, officials said.

Gavin said his own Chihuahua was labeled dangerous by the city after barking and growling at people about three years ago, when the dog belonged to his sister-in-law.

"For a long time I thought the dog ordinance was flawed and that the adjudication process favored the city," he said. "Unless you have an attorney, you can have no one speak on your behalf."

Under an impending ordinance change in Elgin, Tayder, a
four-year-old German Shepherd, will be able to shed his
 muzzle in September 2016 if he continues to be compliant.
He is pictured with his owner, Erik Hejnosz.
John Starks | Staff Photographer

Pet owners in town have raised similar concerns, Councilwoman Tish Powell said. "It seems that ... after a year of no other incidents or going through some type of (behavior) training and have corrected that behavior, they should be allowed to drop it (the designation)."

Gavin also pointed out that the city's animal control ordinance does not apply to cats. "We had 15 cat bite incidents in the last year, some requiring medical attention," he said. "If we're going to be fair, cats can be dangerous, they carry diseases. I mean, come on, what do you have against dogs?"

(Daily Herald - April 27, 2015)