Enforce state law to protect public

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Rockford Register Star

By Ledy VanKavage

At a Rockford City Council committee meeting last week, the statistics were grim regarding dog bite cases in the City of Rockford — 415 last year.


However, what was truly shocking was that only five dogs in the last year had been deemed dangerous by the animal control administrator.


Illinois has one of the most comprehensive dangerous and vicious dog laws in the United States.


An animal control administrator can deem a dog “dangerous” if it merely threatens a person or companion animal or for any bite to a human.


Indeed, McHenry County sends out letters to every bite victim asking if they would like the county to deem the biting dog “dangerous.” Peoria is routinely deeming dogs dangerous under this provision.


Statistics reveal that the vast majority of bite cases involve dogs that have not been spayed or neutered. Virtually every fatal dog attack that has occurred in Illinois has involved unsterilized canines.


Because hormones are not necessarily a good thing in man’s best friend, the General Assembly passed Anna’s Law, which requires that every dog picked up for running at large is spayed or neutered at the second or subsequent impoundment. Any “dangerous” or “vicious” dog must also be sterilized and microchipped for permanent identification.


Because so many irresponsible owners are repeat offenders, enforcing all provisions of the Illinois Animal Control Act would undoubtedly go a long way to reducing the costs of animal control.


The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has offered to give a presentation on Effective Public Safety Laws to the Rockford City Council.


By using proactive state and city laws, our children will be safer and fewer dogs and cats will be killed at our shelters. It’s a win-win.


Ledy VanKavage is director of legal training and legislation for the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.