Prospect Heights eyeing stricter leash law

Some Prospect Heights dog owners may be buying new leashes if the city council adopts a proposal requiring all the city's canines be on leashes no more than 8 feet long.

The council may vote as early as next month on a requirement that residents leash their dogs off their property.

Dog owners in apartments and condominiums already abide by this rule. The new law would extend to single-family homes as well.

Also, retractable leashes that play out past 8 feet - some go as far as 16 feet - would no longer be allowed when dogs are off their own property.

A ticket could mean a $50 fine for violators but police would have the discretion to increase it for repeat offenders, said Police Chief Bruce Morris.

Homeowners who say they use voice commands to control their dogs off leash would no longer be good enough, he said.

The proposal appears to have majority support among the five alderman. Alderman John Styler said he'd favor it as did Alderman Jim Armbruster, who said leash laws also help keep dogs from getting hit by cars. Also, a leash more than 8 feet is difficult for owners to manage if there's a problem, he said.

Alderman Dolly Vole agreed. She said residents in her ward have complained to her about dogs off the leash. Some residents let their dogs run free, which results in their neighbors having to pick up after their dogs, she said.

"Ninety-five percent of dog owners are responsible, but it's because of the rest that we are having to consider these restrictions," Vole added.

The ordinance could come back as early as the council's next board meeting, at 7 p.m. Sept. 1 at City Hall, 8 N. Elmhurst Road.