Vicki
Administrator
July 24, 2009
YORKVILLE -- A pit bull ban here would be against state statute, but the city's Public Safety Committee plans to talk about tougher penalties for dog attacks in the future.
At Thursday's committee meeting, resident Lou Denny brought forward a proposal for a referendum that would ask residents if they'd want to ban pit bulls in Yorkville. He said he has received more than 40 signatures from residents supporting the question for a future ballot.
If the pit bull ban question were to appear on any ballot, it would likely be considered an advisory referendum, officials said. Such a referendum would not change any current laws.
But according to state statute, non-home-rule communities, including Yorkville, cannot create a regulation or ordinance specific to any breed.
Third Ward Alderman Marty Munns suggested that the city talk about tougher penalties for dog attacks.
"Maybe there could be a discussion of making the penalties more severe on an escalating scale. Somehow dog owners have to be responsible. We can't change state law, but we can make ours stronger," Munns said.
Pit bull laws elsewhere
One Chicago-area community, Wheeling, enacted a pit bull ban years ago but no longer has one in place.Other towns like Buffalo Grove have enacted tougher ordinances specific to pit bulls and rottweilers, but do not have bans on either dog.
According to Buffalo Grove code, owners of a rottweiler or pit bull terrier must keep their dogs on a leash at least six feet long. Owners also must provide an enclosed fence for their animal in their yard, and the animal is required to stay within that fence at all times when outside. Owners also must post signs at all entrances warning that dogs are on the premises.
In Cahokia, a town of about 15,000 not far from the Missouri border, owners must provide a health record of the dog, a certificate of insurance and two photos of the pit bull.
Pit bulls in Cahokia, like Buffalo Grove, must be enclosed by a fence and be walked on a leash no longer than four feet. Pit bulls in Cahokia, however, also must be fitted with a muzzle while outside an enclosed area.
The city of Denver has one of the most well-known pit bull bans in the country. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals claims that the city has euthanized about 1,100 dogs since the pit bull ban was reinstated in 2005.
But people who moved out of the city plan to move forward with claims that the city's breed-specific laws are irrational.
Prince George's County in Maryland also has a longstanding pit bull ban, according to the ASPCA. The organization claims that about 900 pit bulls are killed every year there.
Ohio also classifies pit bulls as "vicious animals," and several cities have bans, according to the ASPCA.
By ROWENA VERGARA rvergara@scn1.com
Yorkville eyes harsher penalties for dog attacks :: Beacon News :: Local News
YORKVILLE -- A pit bull ban here would be against state statute, but the city's Public Safety Committee plans to talk about tougher penalties for dog attacks in the future.
At Thursday's committee meeting, resident Lou Denny brought forward a proposal for a referendum that would ask residents if they'd want to ban pit bulls in Yorkville. He said he has received more than 40 signatures from residents supporting the question for a future ballot.
If the pit bull ban question were to appear on any ballot, it would likely be considered an advisory referendum, officials said. Such a referendum would not change any current laws.
But according to state statute, non-home-rule communities, including Yorkville, cannot create a regulation or ordinance specific to any breed.
Third Ward Alderman Marty Munns suggested that the city talk about tougher penalties for dog attacks.
"Maybe there could be a discussion of making the penalties more severe on an escalating scale. Somehow dog owners have to be responsible. We can't change state law, but we can make ours stronger," Munns said.
Pit bull laws elsewhere
One Chicago-area community, Wheeling, enacted a pit bull ban years ago but no longer has one in place.Other towns like Buffalo Grove have enacted tougher ordinances specific to pit bulls and rottweilers, but do not have bans on either dog.
According to Buffalo Grove code, owners of a rottweiler or pit bull terrier must keep their dogs on a leash at least six feet long. Owners also must provide an enclosed fence for their animal in their yard, and the animal is required to stay within that fence at all times when outside. Owners also must post signs at all entrances warning that dogs are on the premises.
In Cahokia, a town of about 15,000 not far from the Missouri border, owners must provide a health record of the dog, a certificate of insurance and two photos of the pit bull.
Pit bulls in Cahokia, like Buffalo Grove, must be enclosed by a fence and be walked on a leash no longer than four feet. Pit bulls in Cahokia, however, also must be fitted with a muzzle while outside an enclosed area.
The city of Denver has one of the most well-known pit bull bans in the country. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals claims that the city has euthanized about 1,100 dogs since the pit bull ban was reinstated in 2005.
But people who moved out of the city plan to move forward with claims that the city's breed-specific laws are irrational.
Prince George's County in Maryland also has a longstanding pit bull ban, according to the ASPCA. The organization claims that about 900 pit bulls are killed every year there.
Ohio also classifies pit bulls as "vicious animals," and several cities have bans, according to the ASPCA.
By ROWENA VERGARA rvergara@scn1.com
Yorkville eyes harsher penalties for dog attacks :: Beacon News :: Local News