Senate Sponsors: LAUZEN. House Sponsors: JEFFERSON-MCKEON-BRADLEY-DAVIS,MONIQUE-FLOWERS Short description: VICIOUS-DANGEROUS DOG-PENALTY Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Amends the Animal Control Act. Provides that if a dog is found to be a dangerous dog, the dog must be both muzzled and leashed whenever it is upon a street, sidewalk, or other public place or grounds. Provides that if the owner of a dangerous dog fails to keep the dog muzzled and leashed as required, and the dog attacks another person, the owner is guilty of a Class 4 felony, except that if the owner acted recklessly, the owner is guilty of a Class 3 felony. Provides that if the owner of a dog subject to enclosure (that is, a vicious dog) fails to keep the dog enclosed or as otherwise required by law (instead of simply fails to keep the dog enclosed), and the dog attacks a person, the owner is guilty of a Class 4 felony (instead of a Class A misdemeanor), except that if the owner acted recklessly (instead of knowingly), the owner is guilty of a Class 3 felony (instead of a Class 4 felony). Effective immediately. SENATE AMENDMENT NO. 1. Provides that if a vicious dog is impounded, it must be either spayed or neutered within 30 days after the impoundment. Provides that the owner of the dog is liable for the cost of the spaying or neutering. SENATE AMENDMENT NO. 2. Provides that the owner of a dog subject to enclosure is guilty of a Class 3 felony if the owner knowingly (instead of recklessly) allowed the dog to run at large or failed to take steps to keep it in an enclosure. Provides that the owner of a dangerous dog is guilty of a Class 3 felony if the owner knowingly (instead of recklessly) failed to keep the dog both muzzled and leashed. GOVERNOR'S AMENDATORY VETO MESSAGE Recommends that current criminal penalties be restored in connection with a failure to keep a vicious dog enclosed (that is, making the offense a Class A misdemeanor unless the owner acted reck- lessly, in which case the offense is a Class 4 felony). (The bill made those offenses a Class 4 felony and Class 3 felony, respec- tively). Provides for the same changes in penalties for offenses in connection with a dangerous dog. Last action on Bill: BILL DEAD-AMENDATORY VETO Last action date: NOV-29-2001 Location: Senate Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 0 SENATE - 2 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status