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IL: Brookfield Considers Dog Ordinance

Discussion in 'Dog Ordinances & Laws' started by Vicki, Oct 7, 2010.

  1. Vicki

    Vicki Administrator Staff Member

    IL: Brookfield Considers Dog Ordinance

    Village curbs bad dog behavior
    By Staff reports
    Brookfield Suburban Life
    Posted Oct 06, 2010 @ 05:01 PM
    Brookfield, IL —

    Brookfield officials have had enough with the dogs in town.

    At a board meeting Sept. 27, the village board of trustees unanimously agreed to draft an ordinance that would fine residents if their dogs are found off their leashes in a park or if they bite another dog or person without being provoked.

    Assistant Village Manager Keith Sbiral said staff had been discussing such an ordinance.

    “The police department, along with the adjudication court officer, have been working on a dog bite ordinance and prosecution for a dog being off its leash,” Sbiral said. “It also gives us the ability to prosecute for injury caused by a dog, if the animal should attack, chase or place someone in a dangerous situation.”

    The ordinance lists several situations in which a person could be fined for their canine’s actions. They include biting or injuring a human being or other domesticated animal; chasing a human being, domesticated animal or motor vehicle; putting a human being in fear for his or her safety; menacing domesticated animals or damaging property.

    There are certain defenses outlined, such as if a dog is provoked.

    The fines would be no less than $20 and no more than $750. The owner of the animal involved could also be required to pay the victim’s medical or veterinary expenses.

    Police chief Steven Stelter said that while dog bites are not common, they do occur.

    “We get about 10 dog bites a year,” Stelter said. “The fact is, we do have dog bites. Prior to this ordinance, we didn’t have anything on the books to fine someone. This is so we have something on the books.”

    As for the parks issue, Stelter said the department does get complaints about dogs being off-leash.

    “People call in and complain about dogs off their leashes in the parks, but it’s not an epidemic,” Stelter said. “If a dog is out in public, it should be on a leash.”

    President Mike Garvey said off-leash dogs have been an issue in the past.

    “It’s come up before about dogs in the parks, and we’ve all seen dogs off of their leashes,” Garvey said.

    “From here, this will go to the park board. Right now, the ordinance bans all animals in the park. I hope the board will offer reasonable exceptions.”

    Officer Lori Weleklinski said fines for both dog bites and dogs off their leashes would be treated like local ordinance tickets.

    “It could range anywhere from $20 to $750,” Weleklinski said. “It’s up to the adjudicator.

    The measure will be up for a vote at the board’s Oct. 11 meeting.

    http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/rivers...d-dog-behavior
     

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