Mount Prospect could ease vicious dog restrictions

Mount Prospect officials could loosen the village's restrictions on dogs that have been declared vicious.

Trustees this week discussed possible changes to village's 2006 animal control ordinance, under which more than two dozen dogs have been deemed vicious as defined in village code.

Under the code, a vicious dog is one “known to have attacked a person on a previous occasion without provocation whenever that person was peacefully conducting himself or herself where he or she was lawfully entitled to be.”

Current regulations allow residents to keep dogs declared vicious, but the dog must be confined in an area that has four sides and a roof. The animal may be taken out only for grooming, veterinary care, upon a court order or to leave the village limits.

Police Chief John Dahlberg this week brought before the village board's Committee of the Whole a proposal that would allow vicious dogs, under a set of strict conditions, to be given some outside exercise.

Dahlberg said he frequently receives feedback from owners about their inability to walk their dogs in public.

“I have engaged several residents in meaningful conversations about the inability to walk their dogs,” he said. “This is in the final analysis an issue regarding the animal's health. It is a valid concern on the part of animal owners, and I think it is something that, if it's controlled properly, could be accomplished without endangering the public at large.”

Dahlberg proposed allowing public walks under the following conditions:

Ÿ The person in control of the animal be a minimum of 18 years of age.

Ÿ The animal must be securely muzzled at all times.

Ÿ The animal must be restrained by a chain or leash connected to a three-point harness (not a collar) securely fastened to the animal.

Those conditions, he said, would address the concerns of dog owners without jeopardizing public safety.

Dahlberg said the regulations have worked well since adopted in 2006.

“To my surprise, we have had some real runs,” he said. “Last summer, we had six dogs declared vicious in a five-week span. And I think that gives rise to the knowledge that it is a problem.”

Trustee Arlene Juracek said the change makes a lot of sense. She said she is a dog owner and her animals get restive and behave badly when they are cooped up for too long.

“It is good for the dog, as well as the family that owns the dog and society as a whole,” she said.

“This seems like a really nice compromise that allows the owner to walk their dog in the village, and it allows the animal to be exercised,” Trustee Paul Hoefert added. “As long as the public in general is protected, I think this is a really excellent way to go.”

Trustee Steven Polit suggested owners of vicious dogs be educated on how to become better owners.

“Sometimes it's not the dog. Sometimes it's the owner,” he said.