Contact: Representative Angelo "Skip" Saviano (708)453-7547


08/19/2003
SAVIANO'S DOG BILL BECOMES LAW

RIVER GROVE - State Representative Angelo "Skip" Saviano's (R-Elmwood Park) legislation to hold the owners of dangerous or vicious dogs responsible for the actions of their pets was signed by Governor Rod Blagojevich today at a bill-signing ceremony at Leyden Township Hall, 2501 N. Mannheim Road, Franklin Park.

House Bill 184 is now the 'Ryan Armstrong law', named for the nine-year-old boy whose attack by a rottweiler in unincorporated Leyden Township in 2001 sparked this legislation. Support for this bill increased after two pit bulls killed a woman in the Dan Ryan Woods on the South Side of Chicago earlier this year, and other reports where people, including children, had been injured in recent months as the result of being attacked by a dog.

According to Saviano's bill, pet owners may be required to microchip and tag their animals (under the discretion of each county in Illinois), and then register the animal and contact information with a national database. In addition to helping locate the owner of a dog who has attacked someone, Saviano noted that a microchip could also reunite a lost pet with its owner.

"Many of us have heard, seen and read stories about dogs attacking people without provocation," said Saviano. "There have been several reports of these kinds of incidents, particularly in recent months, and as a result, there is a substantial amount of support for this legislation. It is about time that we have a law in the books that establishes accountability and holds dog owners responsible for their pets' behavior. By calling for criminal penalties for those who fail to exercise the responsibilities involved with owning a pet, the objective of this new law is to help prevent anyone else from becoming the victim of a dog attack."

When a stray animal is located, the administrator - defined as a State of Illinois-licensed veterinarian or non-veterinarian in the event one cannot be found and appointed - will be required to examine it for microchip identification, and make a reasonable attempt to contact the owner.

This legislation also requires all dog owners to have their animal vaccinated against rabies: (1) When the dog is four months of age or older and (2) Within one year of the first vaccination.

The new law defines the difference between a "dangerous" and a "vicious" dog and establishes precautions for owners to take if their dog is found to be dangerous or vicious.

Violators could be found guilty of a misdemeanor or felony, depending on the offense.

House Bill 184 received overwhelming approval in both the House (106-8) and Senate (44-10) in the spring session.

For more information on House Bill 184, please contact Representative Angelo "Skip" Saviano at (708)453-7547.