SPRINGFIELD - Penalties for dog owners whose animals attack could soon increase under legislation unanimously approved by the House Tuesday.
The measure is one of the strongest pieces of legislation to combat vicious dog attacks in state history, its sponsor said.
"It's just going to send a message out there that if you have dogs, handle them responsibly," said state Rep. Mike Boland, D-East Moline. "Hopefully we'll begin to see an end to these kinds of attacks."
Boland introduced the legislation after the 2005 death of Lydia Chaplin, 14, who was attacked near her home in the northwest Illinois town of Erie by four dogs. She was found dead in a ditch, having succumbed to hypothermia. The incident was Illinois' only fatality last year following a dog attack.
The goal of the measure is to prevent further attacks by putting responsibility on owners, while keeping the well-being of the animals in mind, said state Sen. Don Harmon, D-Oak Park, the Senate sponsor.
"We're trying to focus on public health and public safety in a way that is mindful of the unique role that dogs and cats play in our families and in our society," Harmon said.
Owners of dogs involved in unprovoked attacks would be subject to civil penalties under the legislation, Boland said.
The measure increases the penalties for unprovoked attacks by dogs that have been declared vicious, in cases where the owner allows the dog to run at large, to three to seven years in prison and a $25,000 fine, Harmon said.
It also increases penalties for the owner when a dog has been declared dangerous and kills a person.
The proposal now goes to Gov. Rod Blagojevich for his consideration.
The legislation is House Bill 4238.
Harmon said local fines also would be increased under the bill. He said the cap for local fines would be raised to $1,000 from $50.
Boland hopes to create a task force this summer to further study the issue and see if increased criminal penalties are needed for owners if their animals attack.
Terry Steczo, a Veterinary Medical Association spokesman, said the group is neutral on the legislation and wants a more comprehensive look at the issue.
"It really doesn't solve the problem because the problem is the Animal Control Act creates more hurdles than it allows quick reaction and a solution to the problems that are out there," Steczo said.
The proposal now goes to Gov. Rod Blagojevich for his consideration.
The legislation is House Bill 4238.
