Illinois Senator would support local pit bull ban

Senator would support local pit bull ban

Berwyn, IL -

A state senator said this week he would support a local ban on pit bulls in response to recent attacks by the dogs in Berwyn.

Sen. Martin Sandoval, D-12th District, of Cicero, said while breed-specific legislation is unpopular in the state, it is permissible and that several Cook County communities have successfully implemented the bans.

“There has been increased discussion concerning the banning of pit bulls outright, because of the number of egregious and sometimes fatal pit bull attacks to children and people in Illinois,” Sandoval said. “I would favor a ban on pit bulls as a way to address the safety of our residents. ... It is the common opinion of many communities in Illinois that pit bulls are very dangerous dogs and a risk to public safety.”

The senator’s comments come after Berwyn’s City Council discussed strengthening its vicious dog ordinance Tuesday, Oct. 9.

The council asked police to draft changes to the ordinance last month, but thought the amendments proposed by the department Tuesday weren’t strong enough.

Those changes included requiring owners to muzzle their dog and restrain it with a four-foot or shorter leash or chain when off their property. Also, the dogs could only be under the control of someone 16 years old or older when off the owner’s property.

Police also added a clause for “threatening or annoying dogs,” which deems it unlawful for any dog to cause fear of injury by attacking, threatening to attack or jumping on someone to their annoyance.

According to the amendments proposed by the police department, any animal could be deemed dangerous after a law enforcement investigation is conducted and a written report filed with the police chief.

Some residents who have been involved in incidents with pit bulls say no matter the restrictions placed on dog owners, they won’t feel safe until the dogs are out of their community.

“It’s not even about making the ordinance stronger; it should be that pit bulls aren’t allowed at all,” said Judy Vessely, who said she lives next door to a pit bull. “There are lots of others dogs a person can have other than a pit bull and I think they should be completely gotten rid of in Berwyn.”

Vessely said she has often been frightened by her neighbor’s dog, but her fears were realized last month when the pit bull attacked and killed another neighbor’s elderly dog.
While the City Council has not yet discussed an outright ban on the breed, aldermen said they want the ordinance stronger than what police suggested.

“I’ve seen other ordinances that were stronger, in which the dog has been destroyed,” said 1st Ward Alderman Nona Chapman.

The council voted to have the city’s law department review ways to toughen the ordinance. The proposed changes are expected to be discussed again at council's Tuesday, Oct. 23, meeting.

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