Dangerous dogs topic at county meeting

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By Erin Doss - Reporter for Iroquois County Times-Republic

Dangerous and vicious dog declarations were one item discussed by the Iroquois County Board during a meeting Tuesday.

Health Services Committee chairman John Dowling said Dr. James Finnell, county animal control administrator, is concerned about several ongoing cases involving dangerous and vicious dogs.
Finnell said from a legal standpoint, a dog is declared dangerous if it attacks another animal or a person. After three separate dangerous dog declarations against one animal, the fourth declaration will be a vicious dog declaration.

Because of all the dangerous and vicious dogs animal control must work with, Dowling said Finnell asked his committee to consider allowing Dan Garner, an animal control employee, to be armed with a weapon when he is on high-risk calls.

Because some dogs are specifically trained to attack people and because there is often more than one dog attacking at once, Garner would like to have a weapon to protect himself.

Finnell gave the committee copies of a letter to Iroquois County States Attorney Jim Devine and Iroquois County Sheriff Eldon Sprau, asking for their input on the matter. No action was taken at the committee meeting.

Dowling said Finnell is also concerned about cats running rampant in some areas. He said the problem is not easily solved, as the law does not deal with cats population control except for bites.