Algonquin authorities want pit bull declared dangerous

McHenry County authorities filed court documents Tuesday asking a judge to declare an Algonquin man's pit bull vicious, a move that if successful would require the dog's constant confinement.

The dog, a male named Hoya, has been deemed "dangerous" three times since last year by McHenry County Animal Control, after incidents in which it got free and menaced neighbors on the 700 block of Scott Street, court documents state.

On one of those occasions, in January 2006, the dog bit a neighbor, but did not cause serious injuries. In the most recent incident, on Oct. 6, Hoya got loose from its owner's residence and attacked a neighbor's dog, court documents state.

Court records show the dog's owner, Daniel Tuniston, has been cited twice and ordered to pay $878 in fines and court costs since last year for letting Hoya run loose.

"This obviously is a repeated pattern of behavior that the dog is engaging in and that the owner is not correcting," Assistant McHenry County State's Attorney Jamie Rein said Tuesday. "It continues to be a problem for this neighborhood."

Tuniston could not be reached for comment. A listed telephone number for him was not in service.

If a court grants authorities' request and declares the animal vicious, Tuniston will have to pay a $100 annual fee to continue owning Hoya, have the dog micro-chipped for identification and agree to keep him either in a full enclosure or indoors while muzzled at all times.

He would also be required to obtain county approval to sell, give away or relocate the dog.

The case is scheduled to make its first court appearance April 15 before Judge Maureen McIntyre.