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Sharply worded signs warning dog owners to keep their pups on leashes have been installed in some city parks in response to an “alarming” increase in off-leash dog attacks, an alderman said.

Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd) and his office designed and installed the signs, which feature fictional dog owners who flout the rules or people who have been harmed by off-leash dogs. […]

Hopkins specifically cited an incident when a 9-year-old young girl was attacked by an off-leash dog in Horner Park in April. The incident was the latest in a long history of dog owners flouting rules at the park, which has a sizable dog-friendly space and fragile natural areas, neighbors have said. […]

Dogs in Chicago must always be on leashes when they are off the owner’s property. Fines start at $300 and go up to $10,000 if someone is injured or killed by the animal, according to Chicago law.

One of Hopkins’ signs…

* Many municipalities have ordinances requiring dogs to be leashed. Illinois does not have a statewide leash law, but does have some restrictions for “dangerous dogs”…

It is unlawful for any person to knowingly or recklessly permit any dangerous dog to leave the premises of its owner when not under control by leash or other recognized control methods. […]

“Dangerous dog” means any individual dog anywhere other than upon the property of the owner or custodian of the dog and unmuzzled, unleashed, or unattended by its owner or custodian that behaves in a manner that a reasonable person would believe poses a serious and unjustified imminent threat of serious physical injury or death to a person or a companion animal or a dog that, without justification, bites a person and does not cause serious physical injury. […]

“Vicious dog” means a dog that, without justification, attacks a person and causes serious physical injury or death or any individual dog that has been found to be a “dangerous dog” upon 3 separate occasions.

* In 2020 Sen. Laura Murphy passed legislation to hold pet owners responsible for dog attacks. ABC Chicago…

A new law sponsored by a north suburban state senator will hold pet owners responsible for their pooch’s behavior.

The law, known as the “Justice for Buddy Act” and introduced by Senator Laura Murphy, deals with situations in which a dog who has already proven itself to be dangerous are repeatedly found off-leash. If that happens, the dog owner will be found to have acted in a reckless manner and can have their dog taken away.

The legislation was born out of a 2017 attack in Hanover Park where a 10-year-old Yorkie named Buddy was killed by a neighbor’s dog. […]

Unfortunately not all dog owners are as dedicated. The Justice for Buddy Act, which went into effect Tuesday, defines a so-called “reckless dog owner” as someone whose dog has been deemed dangerous for killing another dog and is found running at large twice within 12 months of being deemed dangerous.

If authorities find someone is a reckless dog owner, their dogs would be forfeited to a licensed shelter, rescue or sanctuary. Efforts will be made to re-home the dog after it’s independently evaluated and determined to be safe. Additionally, a reckless dog owner who’s found guilty would be prohibited from owning a dog for up to three years.

The Question: Should the Illinois General Assembly pass a statewide leash law? Explain.

posted by Isabel Miller
Thursday, Aug 1, 24 @ 11:40 am

Comments

I fully understand the situation and dogs need to be on a leash. That said Trixie is 14 years old and loves to go out in the middle of nowhere to walk without a leash. I take her out of town to large open field no other walkers. I probably should not do this but I do. Everyone says their do won’t hurt you but how do your really know. They can trip you up too,

Comment by clec dcn Thursday, Aug 1, 24 @ 11:50 am
I vote no. It would be impractical and indeed problematic to require rural farm dogs to be leashed at all times.

Comment by H-W Thursday, Aug 1, 24 @ 12:02 pm
I loved my big dumb sweet fuzzy monster who passed away in 2021 more than I have loved most humans, and I love her just as much as I love the one I brought home last summer. This means I do everything I can to keep her safe, because not everyone interprets Labrador exuberance as a positive thing; especially when 70lbs of puppy is bulldozing their way through everything just to say hi to you.

Yes, pass a statewide leash law but also make more dog parks. We have two great ones here that are 10 acres each on reclaimed land from the sanitary district. When we’re traveling and visit dog parks elsewhere in the state (because 3 hours in the car with a high energy pup is exactly as fun as it sounds), I’m always disappointed in the little lots that other towns have but also grateful that they exist so she can run around for a half hour before getting back in the car.

Comment by Leap Day William Thursday, Aug 1, 24 @ 12:03 pm
== I vote no. It would be impractical and indeed problematic to require rural farm dogs to be leashed at all times. ==

I’d say it’s more problematic for those rural farm dogs to chase and bite people riding bicycles on the road, as happens multiple times a year around here. Keep them leashed or fenced.

Comment by Leap Day William Thursday, Aug 1, 24 @ 12:06 pm
I’m not sure if a statewide leash law is necessary, but it just seems like some dog owners believe rules shouldn’t apply to them.

For instance, the park by my house has massive areas where dogs can run free and they do. But there’s a nature area where dogs aren’t allowed because a lot of wild critters live there. Almost every day I see a dog owner walk right past the clear “no dogs” signs. Those dogs are always off leash. If you say something to the owners they just ignore you.

So maybe we do need more laws about this.

Comment by 33rd Ward Thursday, Aug 1, 24 @ 12:10 pm
Sure, go ahead. Of course, you’ve got Sheriffs and States Attorneys proudly and publicly refusing to enforce gun laws. I see as much vigor applied to this legislation.

Comment by Flyin'Elvis'-Utah Chapter Thursday, Aug 1, 24 @ 12:16 pm
I vote no.
The GA should be spending their time improving our miserable education system and not dealing with nonsense like this.
This is clearly is an issue local government folks can handle.

Comment by Back to the Future Thursday, Aug 1, 24 @ 12:21 pm
YES is the only common sense answer. Never understood otherwise. Guessin’ folks who think otherwise never been bite or chased by someone else’s darling.

Comment by Annonin' Thursday, Aug 1, 24 @ 12:24 pm
I think the Alderperson should have used a picture of his college roommate instead!

Comment by City Thursday, Aug 1, 24 @ 12:25 pm
I think a statewide law is reasonable. I would expect that it wouldn’t affect people on their own property such as farms or in people’s own yards. It’s better for your dog and others as when a dog gets scared they run away even from loved owners.

Comment by ArchPundit Thursday, Aug 1, 24 @ 12:26 pm
Once every few weeks I encounter someone walking their dog off-leash in my neighborhood. I always go out of my way to ask the owner if they have a leash and if they could please use it. I’ve heard responses ranging from hostile to downright bizarre (”I’m training my dog and the trainer is just around the corner”). Unfortunately, these people do truly believe that the rules don’t apply to them. Shaming them loudly and frequently is all we’re left to do since enforcement is non-existent. All the PSAs and signage are just another thing for them to ignore.

Comment by Mark D Thursday, Aug 1, 24 @ 12:26 pm
===college roommate===

No.

lol

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Aug 1, 24 @ 12:26 pm
“This is clearly is an issue local government folks can handle.”

If local government folks were handling this, then these dog attacks wouldn’t be happening and no one would be calling for statewide legislation.

Clearly.

– MrJM

Comment by @misterjayem Thursday, Aug 1, 24 @ 12:43 pm
I live in the Chicago Edgewater neighborhood and if you go out mid-morning or between 4 and 6, the aroma of what dogs ate earlier is everywhere. Most leash, but some don’t I guess because they are sure “their baby” won’t attack anyone. So was my dad’s dog, unless Ricky (German Shephard) misread that someone was threatening to my dad or me, then he would Hulk out. Leashing is common sense because dogs can snap. If not, fine away.

Comment by levivotedforjudy Thursday, Aug 1, 24 @ 12:50 pm
Dog owner and dog lover here. I would absolutely take my dogs over 99.9% of the population. But the leash law is a yes in my book.

Comment by JS Mill Thursday, Aug 1, 24 @ 12:56 pm
Yes, for any time a dog is on public property. If course people will ignore it, just like they ignore speed limits, stop signs, etc. Maybe if we could teach dogs to read they might be able to convince their owners to follow it.

Comment by West Side the Best Side Thursday, Aug 1, 24 @ 1:09 pm
Well, the legislature passed a law to require leashes for cats once so why not.

https://www.ilsos.gov/departments/archives/online_exhibits/100_documents/1949-veto-cat-bill.html

Comment by Bigtwich Thursday, Aug 1, 24 @ 1:10 pm
So, who’s gonna enforce that? Meter police? Someone from forest preserve district? CPD? If local ordinances don’t work, how does state law make it “more enforceable”? Is plan B federal? let’s go federal. National dog leash laws.

Dumb.

Comment by Nope. Thursday, Aug 1, 24 @ 2:23 pm
I walk one of my cats on a leash every day and he was recently attacked by an unleashed dog.

Our other two cats just tip over when we try to put the harness on, so they don’t go outside.

Comment by Dave Thursday, Aug 1, 24 @ 2:50 pm
I vote no.
Who would enforce a statewide law?

Comment by Bruce( no not him) Thursday, Aug 1, 24 @ 2:57 pm
Do you know why it is rare to see a cat on a leash?

Because who cares if your cat runs away.

(Ducks)

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Aug 1, 24 @ 3:19 pm
Dog owner, live in the city, have giggled a bit as Hopkins’ signs showed up this week. I have no problem keeping mine on a leash for the comfort of others. Pandemic Puppies are now fully grown and it’s incredible how many people adopted (or bought) large breeds in 2000-2002 and had no idea how to train them.

That said, a leash law applicable to a densely populated area with limited green spaces that we all have to share would be silly in a rural or even many suburban areas. They know their local conditions and can pass whatever laws they want.

Comment by granville Thursday, Aug 1, 24 @ 3:21 pm
===silly in a rural or even many suburban areas==

As someone who grew up in a rural area and have lived in lightly populated suburban-type areas, my neighbors and I experienced the displeasure of unleashed mean dogs tearing off after pedestrians and bicyclists. Ain’t fun. Not blaming the dogs. I blame the owners who know this is happening and do nothing about it.

Comment by Rich Miller Thursday, Aug 1, 24 @ 3:30 pm
Riding my bike in the county on the roads out in nowhere dogs show up from farms and ect. Some can certainly give you a scare mostly because they can knock you off your bike. These folks need to keep there dogs in a pen or leashed. At the moment I can usually outrun them, but I have had dogs get to 22-24mph. On the flats I win but going up hills they can win. Not a good choice.

Comment by clec dcn Thursday, Aug 1, 24 @ 4:19 pm
Yes. If only to make dog owners more aware of every law that already applies to them. Chicago has more dogs than any other place in the country. If only all the owners cleaned up after them and kept them in check. No I don’t want your baby all up on me.

Comment by Amalia Thursday, Aug 1, 24 @ 4:38 pm
I used to ride my bicycle out in the country…I regularly passed by a farmhouse with a spooky one eyed Rottweiler who loved to click his teeth at my heels…I solved the problem by bringing dog biscuits to throw his way…after a few times, He would sit and wait for for me to throw a treat when he saw me coming.

I’m sure it won’t work for every dog…just sayin’.

Comment by Dotnonymous x Thursday, Aug 1, 24 @ 6:14 pm