B.S.L. but for the good!

[2dogscrzy4ball]

I was reading in my May 2007 issue of Dog Fancy an article called, Keeping "Dangerous" Dogs From Felons. In the state of Illinois the law took effect in Jan. '07 that stipulates that felons cannot own, live with, or have custody of any dog legally deemed dangerous or vicious, or an intact dog older than 12 weeks of age. Dogs owned by felons must also be implanted with I.D. microchips. The restriction takes effect upon the felon's release from jail and lasts for 10 years. My question is, who says what dos is legally deemed dangerous? Is this a good idea?

[pennycantu]

i think violent offenders should be banned from this not "felons" in general. A close friend of mine has just done a year of house arrest for 4 dwi's. he has replaced his addiction for alchohol with a passion for powerful dog breeds and training them in obedience and agility. he is a "felon" and would fall into the category of banement but i honestly think his recovery would fail if it weren't for these dogs.

[2dogscrzy4ball]

Good point penny. When you hear the word felon you automatically think hard core criminal. What's the dangerous breeds and who decides these breeds?

[ann_hawes]

Determined by the Illinois Department of Agriculture or local animal control, "a dangerous dog is a dog that poses a serious threat or has, without justification, bitten a person but does not cause serious physical injury. A vicious dog, determined by circuit courts, is a dog that, without justification, attacks a person and causes serious physical injury or death or has been found to be a “dangerous dog” on 3 separate occasions."

It's not breed specific.


The dog ordinance in Contra Costa County California also takes aim at convicted felons.

Section 416-12.436 Prohibited dog ownership by convicted felons.

(a) Any person who has been convicted of a felony under the laws of the United States, of the State of California, or any other state, government, or country, who owns, purchases, receives, or has in his or her possession or under his or her custody or control a dog that poses a danger to the public’s health, safety or welfare if misused by a convicted felon is guilty of a misdemeanor, unless the person possesses a current, valid prohibited dog permit for that dog as provided in section 416-12.438. A convicted felon under this article shall not include felons whose convictions were set aside pursuant to Penal Code section 1203.4. “Misuse” by a convicted felon means use of a dog in a threatening or aggressive manner, or in the commission of a crime.

(b) Any dog whose owner or keeper is in violation of this section shall be impounded, or impounded subject to destruction, at the owner’s expense.

(c) A dog that poses a danger to the public’s health, safety or welfare if misused by a convicted felon under this section means any of the following:

(1) A dog weighing more than 20 pounds.

(2) A dog who has been designated a potentially dangerous or dangerous animal under Sections 416-12.402 and 416-12.404 of this code.

(3) A dog designated by the animal services director as posing a danger to the public’s health, safety or welfare if misused by a convicted felon based upon the following factors:
(i) The nature of any complaints regarding the dog.

(ii) The strength of the dog, including jaw strength.

(iii) The dog’s tolerance for pain.

(iv) The dog’s tendency to refuse to terminate an attack.

(v) The dog’s potential propensity to bite humans or other domestic animals.

(vi) The dog’s potential for unpredictable behavior.

(vii) The dog’s aggressiveness.

(viii) The likelihood that a bite by the dog will result in serious injury. (Ord. 2005-25).