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HR1026 (click here for complete text)

Take a look at H.R. 1026 just introduced on 3-16-06 which would spell out no breed specific legislation - verbiage is super BUT it was introduced so late in the session that it has little chance of going forward. Introduced by Maria Antonio Barrios - Democrat - Cook County - Chicago.

Short Description: NO BREED-SPECIFIC DOG BANS

House Sponsors Rep. Maria Antonia Berrios

STATUS:  3/16/2006 House Referred to Rules Committee

Synopsis As Introduced
Urges the State to encourage municipalities not to enact breed-specific dog bans and to encourage municipalities to establish programs that educate residents and to pass laws targeting irresponsible dog owners.

SB2259 (click here for complete text)

STATUS 2/17/06 RE-REFERED TO RULES
SYNOPSIS
Amends the Animal Control Act. Defines a "companion animal" as one commonly considered, or considered by its owner, to be a pet. Redefines a "dangerous dog" to include one that injures a companion animal, livestock, or equidae. Redefines a "vicious dog" to include one that, while off its owner's property, kills a companion animal, livestock, or equidae and one that attacks a person and causes physical (now, serious physical) injury.

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HB4213 (click here for complete text)

STATUS: 2/1/2006 House Tabled By Sponsor Rep. Michael Tryon
SYNOPSIS
Amends the Animal Control Act. Requires owners of dangerous and vicious dogs to maintain liability insurance for damage, injury, and death caused by the dog. Requires that a dog's breed be considered in the determination of the dog as dangerous or vicious if the dog is of a breed presumed to be a dangerous or vicious breed. Authorizes municipalities and other political subdivisions to ban those breeds and to regulate dogs by breed. Changes the physical requirements for keeping dangerous and vicious dogs. Beginning January 1, 2007, creates, and changes the penalties for existing, offenses with respect to dangerous and vicious dogs.

House Amendment No. 1 amends the Counties Code to provide that penalties for dogs running at large may be issued for areas of the county (now, unincorporated areas of the county) which have been subdivided for residential purposes. Eliminates a limitation on fines or penalties in excess of $50 for a single such violation of this provision. Amends the Animal Control Act. Provides that a county board may appoint an administrative hearing officer to conduct an administrative hearing to determine a dog "vicious" under the Act. Authorizes an animal control officer or law enforcement officer who determines, upon investigation, that probable cause exists to believe a dog poses an immediate threat to public safety to seize and impound the dog. Provides that a dog found to be a vicious dog shall be euthanized. Sets forth that all costs of impoundment, disposition, boarding, medical, or other costs related to the determination of a vicious dog shall be borne by the owner if the animal is found to be vicious. Requires the Department to establish and maintain an Internet website containing information on dogs declared vicious or dangerous. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. In a Section setting forth reasons to impose an extended term sentence, authorizes such an extension when a defendant commits any felony and the defendant used, possessed, exercised, control over, or otherwise directed an animal to assault a law enforcement officer engaged in the execution of his or her official duties or in furtherance of the criminal activities of an organized gang in which the defendant is engaged. Effective immediately.

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HB4219 (click here for complete text)
Short Description: DOG ATTACK-FELONY
STATUS:

12/2/2005 House Filed with the Clerk by Rep. Mike Boland
1/4/2006 House First Reading
1/4/2006 House Referred to Rules Committee
1/11/2006 House Added Chief Co-Sponsor Rep. Paul D. Froehlich

SYNOPSIS:

Amends the Animal Control Act. Provides that if any dog (now, certain vicious dogs), (1) inflicts serious physical injury upon any person other than the owner or causes the death of another person; and (2) the attack is unprovoked in a place where such person is peaceably conducting himself or herself and where such person may lawfully be; the owner of the dog is absolutely liable and shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony, unless the owner knowingly allowed the dog to run at large or failed to take steps to keep the dog in an enclosure, then the owner shall be guilty of a Class 3 felony. Provides that if any dog (now, certain dangerous dogs) inflicts serious physical injury on a companion animal the owner of the dog shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.

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HB4238 (click here for complete text) 

IN ITS CURRENT FORM, THIS BILL HAS THE SUPPORT OF THE IDCBA BOARD

THIS BILL PASSED BOTH HOUSE AND SENATE ON 4.3.06

PLEASE CONTACT THE GOVERNOR URGING HIM TO SIGN THIS BILL

Illinois people fell free to mention that this is like a continuation of Ryan's law, to provide a safe environment for the public, especially our children. And fair to all of the responsible dog owners.

STATUS: 4/4/2006 PASSED BOTH HOUSE AND SENATE

SYNOPSYS 

Amends the Animal Control Act. Provides that the owner of an intact dog is guilty of a Class 4 felony if the owner allows the dog to run at large in violation of the Act and the dog inflicts serious physical injury to a person Exempts a police dog that inflicts serious physical injury to a person in the course of its duties. Further amends the Animal Control Act. Provides that a dog is not considered to be running at large if the dog (i) is engaged in legal hunting activities where those activities are permitted or is in a dog park or a dog-friendly area of a park and (ii) is monitored or supervised by a person.

Amendment 1: Amends the Counties Code to eliminate a limitation on fines or penalties in excess of $50 for dogs running at large. Amends the Animal Control Act to provide that if the owner of a dog knowingly allows it to run at large and the dog inflicts serious physical injury, as defined in the Act, or death to a person, the owner is guilty of a Class 4 felony. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. In a Section setting forth reasons to impose an extended term sentence, authorizes such an extension when a defendant commits any felony and the defendant used, possessed, exercised control over, or otherwise directed an animal to assault a law enforcement officer engaged in the execution of his or her official duties or in furtherance of the criminal activities of an organized gang in which the defendant is engaged. Effective immediately.

Amendment 2: Amends the Animal Control Act. Lowers the criminal penalties for dog attacks, except that if the owner of a dangerous dog knowingly fails to comply with any order regarding the dog and the dog inflicts serious physical injury on a person or a companion animal, the owner shall be guilt of a Class 4 felony (now, a Class A misdemeanor). Provides that if the owner of a dog knowingly allows it to run at large and the dog inflicts serious physical injury, as defined in the Act, or death to a person, the owner is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor (instead of a Class 4 felony). Sets forth that a good faith effort to retrieve a dog running at large in a timely fashion shall be an affirmative defense to this offense of allowing a dog to run at large that inflicts severe physical injury or death. Effective immediately.

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HB4711(click here for complete text)
IN ITS CURRENT FORM, THIS BILL HAS THE SUPPORT OF THE IDCBA BOARD

STATUS 02/23/2006 – Referred to Rules

SYNOPSIS
Amends the Criminal Code of 1961 relating to dog fighting. Amends the Criminal Code of 1961 relating to dog fighting. Reinserts the provisions of the bill with the following changes: (1) restores penalties that are in current law but retains the new penalties for attending a dog fight, soliciting a minor to violate the statute, and for a minor under 13 years of age being present at a dog fight and (2) changes the prima facie evidence provisions to a fact finder may infer a violation of the statute from the evidence.

HB4212(click here for complete text)


STATUS 01/04/0 – referred to rules committee

SYNOPSIS
Amends the Animal Control Act. Authorizes municipalities and other political subdivisions to ban specified dog breeds and to regulate dogs by breed. Effective immediately.

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HR 0866 (click here for complete text)

(This is a House Resolution, not yet a bill). At the moment, as we understand it, it is a proposal for a task force which will NOT include a member of the dog community. We are NOT in favor of this.

HJR 0101 (click here for complete text)

(This is a House Joint Resolution, not yet a bill.  At the moment, as we understand it, it is a proposal for a task force which will include a member of the dog community.  We are in favor of this.

Stay tuned for more as we understand the development of this issues.


STATUS: 02/21/06 – Referred to Rules Committee

STATUS:  03/24/06 - Placed on Calendar Order of Resolutions
SYNOPSIS
Creates the Vicious and Dangerous Dog Task Force to address protecting the public health and safety stemming from vicious and dangerous dog attacks

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HB4761(click here for complete text)


STATUS: 02/09/06 – Tabled by sponsor

SYNOPSIS
Amends the Animal Control Act. Authorizes the animal control warden to find a dog vicious if (i) the dog without justification, attacks a person and causes serious physical injury or death, (ii) the dog is found to be a "dangerous dog" upon 3 separate occasions, or (iii) the animal control warden determines that the dog constitutes an undue danger to the public. (now, only a circuit court may determine that a dog is "vicious"). Sets forth certain factors that must be considered in determining whether the dog is an undue danger, including: (i) the circumstances of the dog's infraction; (ii) whether the dog's behavior was justified; (iii) the breed, prior history, and physical characteristics of the dog; (iv) the recommendation of a certified applied behaviorist, a board certified veterinary behaviorist, or another recognized expert in the field; (v) the report of the investigating animal control warden, deputy administrator, or law enforcement officer; and (vi) Department guidelines. Requires that the animal control warden give notice of the infraction that is the basis of the investigation to the owner and conduct a thorough investigation prior to a vicious determination. Provides that the owner of a dog found to be vicious by the animal control warden shall be subject to a fine in the amount of $5,000, for each vicious finding, to be assessed by local law enforcement. Prohibits an order that a vicious dog be euthanized without judicial review. Authorizes the State's Attorney or any citizen of the county in which the dog exists to file a complaint in the circuit court asking that the court find the dog to be a vicious dog. Sets forth that all costs of impoundment, disposition, boarding, medical, or other costs related to the determination shall be borne by the owner. Requires the petitioner to prove the dog is a vicious dog by clear and convincing evidence; however, if animal control warden has found the dog to be vicious then there is a mandatory presumption that the dog is vicious. Sets forth conditions for appealing vicious dog determinations. Provides that the court proceeding for determining a dog vicious shall be an available remedy in addition to and independent of the determination of the animal control warden. Authorizes the finder of fact to consider the breed of the dog in any determination as to whether an individual dog is vicious. Requires the animal control warden to follow guidelines promulgated by the Department for determining that a dog is vicious. Sets forth that in adopting the guidelines, the Department shall follow the rulemaking procedures of the Illinois Administrative Procedure Act. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.

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HB5541 (click here for complete text)

STATUS: 02/09/06 – Tabled by sponsor

SYNOPSIS
Amends the Counties Code to eliminate a limitation on fines or penalties in excess of $50 for dogs running at large. Amends the Animal Control Act. Provides that a county board may appoint an Administrative Law Judge to conduct an administrative hearing to determine that a dog is vicious under the Act. Sets forth certain requirements for being an Administrative Law Judge. Authorizes an animal control officer or law enforcement officer who determines, upon investigation, that probable cause exists to believe a dog poses an immediate threat to public safety to seize and impound the dog. Sets forth certain provisions relating to a vicious dog determination by an Administrative Law Judge. Provides that in a court determination that a dog is vicious, the judge has the discretion to order that the vicious dog be euthanized. Sets forth that an owner of a dog that is impounded or found to be vicious has 35 days before that dog may be euthanized (now, 15 days). Requires the Department to establish and maintain an Internet website containing information on dogs declared vicious or dangerous. Authorizes the State's Attorney for the county in which the dog exists to file a complaint in the circuit court asking that the court declare a dog to be an uncontrollable vicious dog. Provides that a dog found to be an uncontrollable vicious dog by the circuit court shall be euthanized. Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. In a Section setting forth reasons to impose an extended term sentence, authorizes such an extension when a defendant commits any felony and the defendant used, possessed, exercised control over, or otherwise directed an animal to assault a law enforcement officer engaged in the execution of his or her official duties or in furtherance of the criminal activities of an organized gang in which the defendant is engaged. Effective immediately.

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STATUS:  01/04/06 -- Referred to Rules Committee

SYNOPSIS
Creates the Vicious Dog Attack Victim Relief Fund Act. Provides that the Department shall establish the Vicious Dog Attack Victim Relief Fund Program to reimburse victims and their families for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages resulting from serious physical injuries caused by a vicious dog attack. Sets forth certain conditions for the operation of the Program and the Vicious Dog Attack Victim Relief Fund. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Vicious Dog Attack Victim Relief Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Amends the Animal Control Act. Provides that "dangerous" and "vicious" designations apply to all animals (now, only dogs may be deemed "dangerous" or "vicious"). Provides that an "owner" includes a person who knowingly permits an animal to remain on or about any premises occupied by that person. Provides that County Boards shall impose an individual dog registration fee and may impose an individual cat and ferret registration fee (now, shall impose animal and litter registration fee). Requires every owner of a dog, cat, or ferret 4 months or more of age to have that dog, cat, or ferret inoculated against rabies. Provides that any companion animal, which includes, but is not limited to, dogs, cats, ferrets, and horses, found running at large may be apprehended and impounded (now, limited to dogs). Requires the owner of a biting animal to remit to the Department of Public Health a $25 public safety fine within 30 days after notice for deposit into the Vicious Dog Attack Victim Relief Fund. Authorizes an administrative hearing officer to make a "vicious animal" determination. Provides that if an owned animal is found to be a "vicious animal", the owner shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony, pay a $500 fine to be deposited in the Animal Control Fund, and the court of administrative hearing officer shall order the animal subject to enclosure or euthanized. Requires any animal designated as "dangerous" to be under physical control by an adult 18 years of age or older whenever the animal is off of the premises of its owner. Requires owners of dangerous animals that relocate to notify both the Administrator of the County Animal Control where he or she has relocated to and the Administrator of the County Animal Control where he or she formerly resided. Requires all animal control facilities in the State to report certain information. Provides that if the owner of a dangerous animal knowingly fails to comply with any order regarding the animal and the animal inflicts physical injury or serious physical injury on a person or companion animal, the owner shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony. Provides that if the owner of a dangerous animal fails to comply with any order regarding the animal and the animal kills a person or contributes to the death of a person the owner shall be guilty of a Class 3 felony. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.