Arlington Hgts. toughens penalties for dangerous animals

Following an October dog attack, Arlington Heights has changed the penalties for dangerous animals in the village, including that on a first offense, if serious enough, the animal can be destroyed.

The village board approved the municipal code change on Monday, partially in response to an Oct. 8 incident where a dog got loose and harmed another dog in the village.

Previously, a dangerous animal would need to be convicted in three or more physical attacks before a court could rule to put the animal to sleep or order the owner to pay a fine, said Robin Ward, manager of the village legal department.

However, the added language allows “for any situation where there are less than three convictions, but the court finds that there is great bodily harm or death caused by a dangerous animal” to also face those same penalties.

Under the new provisions an owner may also be ordered, by court, to pay restitution, including property damage and/or medical costs.

Nothing else will change for animal owners in the village, only the penalty provisions if an attack occurs, Ward said.

“Worst case scenario, a dog or something else gets loose and does serious injury to a child, rather then wait for two more similar attacks, which was what was required before, the court can find, if it was so serious, to order the animal be destroyed or the owner to pay medical bills,” Ward said.