Monday, July 2, 2007

By DAVE HANEY

OF THE JOURNAL STAR

PEORIA HEIGHTS - Lucas Hunt still bears the scars on his lower leg and ankle of the brutal attack by a pit bull in the village more than two years ago.

More than 70 stitches and follow-up surgery were needed to repair nerve and muscle damage to close the wound, but to this day the boy recalls all too vividly the bike ride where a 50-pound dog latched onto his ankle in the 1000 block of Cox Avenue and pulled him to the ground, pinning him until neighbors came to his aid.

"For that first year, he wouldn't go anywhere (out of fear)," his mother, Susan Schackow said.

The pit bull was ordered euthanized a short time later.

While that particular dog had not been reported to authorities previously for biting anyone or exhibiting signs of being dangerous before it bit Hunt, then 10, village officials here are in preliminary discussions about creating a series of requirements for dog owners whose pets are determined to be vicious or dangerous. The proposed ordinance could be passed later this summer.

"Rarely a month goes by when I don't get a complaint from someone about dogs in their neighborhood," Peoria Heights Mayor Mark Allen said.

And while Allen expects some opposition of the measure from pet owners, he said "a little more protection, I think, would be a good thing."

Part of the proposed requirements defines the difference between a "vicious dog" and a "potentially dangerous dog" as well as how canines receive the designations. The process relies on complaints from residents, but generally concerns dogs that either attack a person or animal, or a dog that shows an aggressive behavior.

A dog determined to be vicious may be destroyed if officials find that releasing it would create a significant threat to the public. The owner of a dog determined to be vicious may be prohibited from owning a dog for up to three years.

Other less severe restrictions require dangerous or vicious dogs kept indoors, or in a securely fenced yard (at least 6 feet tall) or enclosure. The yard or enclosure must be inspected and approved by the village and enclosures must be locked.

The dog must be muzzled and restrained by leash when off the owner's property. The owner also must contact police when the dog is loose, has attacked a person or animal, or has been sold, given up or has died.

Potentially dangerous dogs would have to complete an obedience course within 60 days and be spayed or neutered.

Owners would have to maintain insurance covering property damage and bodily injury.

The ordinance also sets up a fine structure, up to $1,000, for an owner of a dog found to be vicious. Failing to comply to the restrictions could net a $500 fine.

Dog attacks in Pekin led officials there to add similar local laws two years ago. Woodford County is talking of enacting a similar vicious dog ordinance.

 

Dave Haney can be reached at 686-3181 or dhaney@pjstar.com.