Deborah Wright of Crystal Lake was walking her dog on a leash when another dog that was let loose stumbled upon the street and assaulted her dog. She said the dog likewise assaulted her and left her with a dislocated shoulder.
“Even if your beloved pooch loves everyone, you cannot predict his or her behavior with another dog,” Wright said. “I am 100% in favor of leash laws for all towns.”
Crystal Lake family pet owners now are needed to manage their animals on their property through a leash, fence, or hand or voice commands under an upgraded code that passed at last week’s City Council conference.
Dogs are just permitted on public streets, pathways or other public areas if they are leashed.
Proposed by the authorities department, upgraded language of the codes produces more clear and particular policies for Crystal Lake dog owners. McHenry County Animal Control manages most of animal grievances, however the Crystal Lake Police Department handles the enforcement of regulations connected to dogs in the area.
Crystal Lake authorities Chief James Black produced the change modifications. He said the objective with the change is to “keep everyone safe.”
“It’s about being a responsible dog owner,” Black said. “Some people love dogs, some people are scared of them.”
Two brand-new points are contributed to the Leashing of Dog code that initially mentioned just that “all dogs shall be kept under restraint.” The change now specifies “no animal shall be permitted, except on a leash, to use or be upon any public street, sidewalk, parkway or public place.”
“Leashes keep mistakes from becoming tragedies,”
— Chad Mackin, dog fitness instructor at Four Paws Pet Resort
Crystal Lake local Valerie Hawthorne said a released dog as soon as charged at her and didn’t listen to the owner’s commands.
“I was about to mace the dog until the owner ran and grabbed the dog,” Hawthorne said.
Many eliminations are made under the Impoundment of Dogs code. The changes eliminate the guideline to euthanize taken dogs if they aren’t declared by their owners within 3 days.
The initial code had the city’s director of financing to manage getting rid of unclaimed dogs. This elimination offers complete authority to McHenry County Animal Control to manage taken dogs and attempt to get them back to their owners.
Animal Control’s code states that if a dog is unclaimed for 7 days, it can be positioned for adoption with a certified humane society or rescue group. “If no placement is available, the animal may be euthanized in accordance with the Illinois Euthanasia in Shelters Act.”
The code permits authorities or animal control to take unrestrained or let loose dogs performing at big and seize them. Running at big suggests the dog is off their owner’s property, Black said.
Chad Mackin is a fitness instructor at Four Paws Pet Resort and Activity Center is Crystal Lake, where he teaches leash handling workshops. Retractable leashes can be hazardous due to the fact that the further a dog is far from their owner, the less appropriate the owner ends up being, he said.
“Retractable leashes are inherently dangerous unless you’re properly trained. I like to compare it to driving a car,” Mackin said.
He said all dog owners must have adequate control over their dogs so that a leash is an included precaution.
“Leashes keep mistakes from becoming tragedies,” Mackin said.
