Oct 30 2016 Brownstown Pit Bull Attacked a Beagle

Brownstown, Illinois.

October 30, 2016 · 

Harrley Is sad. I had to pull a pit bull mix off his throat tonight. If I'd have twisted that pit bulls collar just a little tighter I don't think it would have hurt anyone again. I had an adrenaline overload trying to save my little boy. Harrley is walking with a limp with his front legs now. For those people who say pit bulls are like other dogs or it is how they are raised, then why has the same neighbors boxer got along with my dog great? Why has my dog been attacked by a pit bull three different times? Three different pit bulls, on three different ocasions. In his almost 8 years of life no other breed has attacked him. I am so mad at the stupidity. Racoons are great pets until they all of a sudden for no apparent reason attack you and bite and scratch you to shreds. I've seen some major scars from racoons. It's in the dna. You may be able to suppress it, but you can't stop the behavior just waiting for that one trigger to set it off. I called 911 tonight and reported the attack, but they said all they could do was issue a citation for not being on a leash. Ok, this whole street has had the pleasure of letting our dogs run and get exercise while we are out walking them, so now we have to fear the pit bull and take the exercise away from our dogs. Don't bother. It seems everyone has rights now to make others miserable, but no one has the right to live safe and free from harm. But the police will be glad to issue a citation after someone is hurt or killed.

Oct 19, 2016 Chicago Pit Bull Killed Yorkie; City Does Nothing

Chicago - While on a walk with his owner, a loose pit bull attacked and killed Oliver, an 8 year old, 8 pound Yorkshire terrier.  Oliver was the light of his owner’s life.  He did everything and went everywhere with Ashley Dombrow.

RIP Oliver

Ashley fought hard to pry the pit bull’s jaws open.  Then she tried to push Oliver’s intestines back inside his body as she rushed him to the vet, but he passed away.

She sought medical attention because she had bites from trying to get the pit bull to release Olver.

She wrote a long and heartbreaking testament to the love that she had for Oliver and to what a delightful little being Oliver was.

Ashley Dombrow
on Sunday
I am incredibly sad to tell you all that today was one of the most horrific days of my life. As I was taking Oliver out for a walk this afternoon, Oliver and I were viciously attacked by a pittbull. I am devastated to tell you all that Oliver did not make it and died as a result of the attack. It was truly one of the most horrific things I have ever experienced.
I was also bitten by the dog and I went to the urgent care hospital but I am fine - I got some shots and antibiotics. The dog that attacked us was not current on his shots, so animal control will have to test the dog for rabies and I may have to get some more treatment for that, but overall, Im physically okay.
As everyone knows, Oliver was the light of my life and that is probably an understatement. He was not just like any other dog, but he was incredibly special and not only special to me, but lit up the lives of everyone that knew him. He was there for me for everything in my life - the good and the bad - he was my baby, my world.
Every morning Oliver and I would wake up, get in the car and go to starbucks. I would get my drink and the people at starbucks would give him a little pup cup with some whip cream. Afterwards we would go on our morning walk and then start the day. Often Oliver would come with me to work or to the container store to design closets, would ride in the car with me everywhere and made friends with everyone he met. Every night we would lay in bed and I would give him a paw massage with his Burts Bee's doggie paw lotion and then he would curl up under my arm and we would go to bed.
Many of you know and love Oliver, and loved getting to spend time with him because he was such a joy to everyone he ever came in contact with. He wasn't really a dog - he was more like a little person. Many of you loved him as if he was your own. He was so special, so wonderful, there truly is no other dog out there like Oliver. He was absolutely the most amazing dog in the world.
I am so devastated I cannot begin to even start to move forward, even though I know I have to. When something terrible like this happens, you see people for who they truly are, and what I learned today was incredible. I have incredible neighbors, who rallied together during the attack to help me in every way possible. They called the police and filed police reports for me, they drove me and Oliver to the hospital, they cried, they hugged, they gathered all my mail (which was all over the place because I had it in my hand during the attack), they brought me flowers, they came to check on me. The people in my community are wonderful. But not only that, my best friend and sister, Anna Paris and my father, Tony Dombrow were there for me in a way I cannot even begin to describe. They were there at the hospital, they supported me, they got me medicine at the drug store, they got me food and water, they held my hand while I was getting shots, they cleaned up the blood I was covered in, they cried, they hugged, and they stayed with me so I wouldn't have to be alone. The words "Thank You" are just not enough. These two people saved my life last summer and they are here to my rescue again. I am incredibly fortunate to have Anna and my Dad.
Also I want to thank the most amazing friends and family, I would never have gotten through today without all of your amazing support. Seriously - I am so lucky to have you. Thank you Lindsey Newett, Samantha G Taylor, Gina Howe (Oliver's other mom and my Mama Gina), Sean Nearey and my Aunt Chris.
Oliver - I miss you and I love you and I know that you are in a better place right now, and that you are with my mom. I will never forget you, you will be with me every day. You were the light of my life and I love you in the most incredible way. There will never be another dog like you, and I am so sorry that you were taken from me this way. I am just so glad that you are not suffering.

Read more:
CBS Chicago
http://bit.ly/2ead7zL
Facebook

Related posts:
Jul 12, 2016 Chicago Pit Bull Attacks Three Dogs as Montrose Beach Dog Park

May 08, 2016 Chicago Pit Bull Attack Severely Wounds Another Dog

Apr 25, 2016 Englewood Pit Bulls Shot, Killed After Attacking a Woman and Her Poodle

Jul 26, 2015 Chicago Pit Bulls Kill Yorkie At Park

May 18, 2015 Chicago Pit Bull Kills Two Little Dogs in Lakeview
Apr 06, 2013 Pit Bull Kills Yorkie Near UIC

2016 Illinois Cities With Pit Bull Problems That Won't or Can't Implement BSL

In 2003, Illinois pit bull advocates got a statewide ban on breed specific legislation passed.  Because Illinois has a strong home rule rights, larger cities and most counties are home rule municipalities by default.  And any town that passes a referendum can become a home rule municipality.  Having home rule powers means that a municipality can pass local ordinances unless the state "expressly" exercises "exclusive" statewide control.  Animal control has always been considered a local issue and, in reality, any home rule municipality that passed BSL would be able to enforce it.

As recently as 2013, in a ruling that further strengthens home rule rights, the Illinois Supreme Court ruled that, "Ordinances enacted by home rule municipalities trump state statutes unless the state expressly exercises exclusive control..."

Best Friends Animal Society is quick to falsely inform municipalities that BSL is illegal under state law and subtly let them know they'd support lawsuits against the city.  Most cities crumble under these threats, but in reality, a home rule municipality would be highly likely to prevail over any legal challenge to their home rule rights in the matter of animal control.

There are a few cities in Illinois that have legal, enforceable BSL on the books because they are home rule cities.  However, many of these cities have abandoned their safety ordinances after they receive letters from BFAS. Read the article below about Lincolnwood to see an example of the letters BFAS sends to cities when the issue of breed safety laws is put on the table.

Most of the cities in the news reports below have had terrible pit bull problems.  Some are searching for solutions, but none were willing to implement or enforce BSL in order to keep their residents safe.  Also included in the list are articles about non-home-rule towns that want to pass breed specific legislation, but cannot because they have not petitioned to obtain home rule status.

*******

Oct 12, 2016 Oak Brook - A resident wants a pit bull and rotweiler ban, but unfortunately, Oak Brook is not a home rule city and cannot implement BSL because of a statewide ban on breed specific legislation.

February 2016  Joliet - While city committee members were in the midst of reworking dangerous dog laws prompted by pit bull attacks, another pit bull attack on a little dog that did $3,512 worth of damage revealed that nothing the committee members were working on would have addressed that attack because the Joliet city committee members refused to regulate pit bulls and were intent on trying to address pit bull problems with breed neutral ordinances.  That never works. Joliet could implement pit bull regulation as a home rule city.

Feb 09, 2016 Not One Lincolnwood Resident Opposed Removing BSL After Pit Bull Attacks.  Linconwood, as a home rule city, could have prevailed against legal challenge. Follow link to see an example of a threatening letter from Best Friends Animal Society that is sent to towns with BSL.

October 2014 Galesburg - Over a year after Ryan Maxwell, one of Galesburg's children, was horrifically killed by a pit bull, and after Galesburg refused to take breed specific measures, Galesburg is still suffering from pit bull attacks.  Galesburg could have legally implemented pit bull regulation as a home rule city.

March 2014 Jacksonville - The director of Morgan County's animal control laid out his proposals to regulate pit bull ownership.  Addressing Jacksonville city leaders, Dr. Jay Hudson recounted a story about two pit bulls attacking his pony.  He got no support from the county.  Morgan County can legally implement BSL. 

August, 2013  Glenwood - The village has enacted a non-breed specific dangerous dog ordinance in response to a pit bull problem.  Every single Illinois municipal area that has looked at stronger dangerous dog statutes has been prompted to do so because of pit bull attacks.  Glenwood can legally implement BSL as a home rule municipality.

May, 2013 Peoria is discussing ways to make the streets safe again from pit bulls and other stray and dangerous dogs.  Last year 102 of the 332 reported dog bites in Peoria county were caused by pit bulls. The police chief states the obvious when he says that pit bulls pose more of a threat than other dogs.  Peoria can legally implement BSL.

May, 2013 Bloomington is trying to require liability insurance for dogs designated dangerous after a serious attack on two people by a pit bull breeder's pit bull.  This will not prevent attacks and the laws are completely meaningless after a serious attack.  Bloomington can legally implement BSL.

May, 2013 Macomb city leaders are trying to create new dog ordinances after they have had 5 dog attacks on people and pets in the last 6 months including a horrid attack by a neighbor's pit bull that broke through a fence and killed a woman's beloved yorkie.  Macomb's mayor says they do not want to wait until there is a fatality to do something. Macomb is not a home rule unit and cannot implement BSL.

January, 2013 Lake county defined "animal aggressive" as a new category of dangerous dogs after a pit bull mauled a small dog owned by a county board member.  Lake County can legally implement BSL.

June, 2012 The village of Cary will look into dog ordinances after residents were attacked by an unleashed pit bull.  Cary is not a home rule unit and cannot implement BSL.

May, 2012 Carmi citizens want pit bull ban.  They are afraid to go outdoors because of an ongoing problem with loose pit bulls. Carmi is not a home rule unit and cannot implement BSL.

May, 2012 Skokie considers stricter law after 3 separate pit bull attacks killed three dogs. Skokie can legally implement BSL.

May, 2012 Waukegan approves a breed neutral pet ordinance.  ACO Nicole Garza says, "We deal with dangerous dogs.  Waukegan is known for them.  Unfortunately, we are a town for pit bulls."  Waukegan is a home rule unit and can implement pit bull regulation.

December, 2011 Arlington Hgts. toughens penalties for dangerous animals following pit bull attack The attack that inspired this new dangerous dog legislation involved two unleashed pit bulls that attacked a leashed poodle/labrador retreiver mix off property and unprovoked.  Arlington Heights can implement BSL.

Aug, 2011 Police want more teeth to proposed dangerous dog ordinance after a pit bull chased and attacked a resident and his dog

May, 2011 Wilmington eyes stronger animal control ordinance after repeated attacks by a pit bull mix.

Nov, 2010 Pit bull that inspired Machesney Park law faces euthanasia after it killed two dogs and attacked two people

Apr, 2010 Reaction to Ban on BSL in Streator, IL: This is Asinine

Additional sources:
Blagojevich signs the Ryan Armstrong Act into law
Dogsbite.org list of Illinois cities with BSL
What is Home Rule
Illinois Bar Journal
Home Rule and You

Oct 12, 2016 Oak Brook Resident wants a Pit Bull and Rottweiler Ban

Oak Brook - A concerned resident who educated herself about the dangers of pit bulls and rotweilers by consulting DogsBite.org brought her concerns about dangerous dogs and desire for a pit bull and rotweiler ban to the village board. The board has agreed to discuss it, but unfortunately Oak Brook is not a home rule municipality and cannot implement dog safety regulations even if they want to.

Oak Brook joins a long list of Illinois municipalities where residents want a pit bull ban, but their city, town or village can’t protect them adequately because of the pit bull lobby’s ban on pit bull bans in Illinois.

Read more:

The Doingshttp://bit.ly/2e1trRh

Related posts:
Jun 14, 2016 Carpentersville Pit Bull Attack on Dog Inspires New Dangerous Dog Laws

Sep 14, 2016 La Salle Co. Rescue is Overrun with Unwanted Pit Bulls

La Salle County - The tan-and-white dog was one of 31 pit bulls stacked up Monday at Illinois Valley Animal Rescue, which saw an unusual rise in canines this summer.

The shelter had 44 dogs but usually averages 35 with less than half being pit bulls, said Chris Tomsha-Ellberg, director.

“It’s above average,” she said. “We’re used to certain times of the year when we get an influx of dogs but lately it’s all been pit bulls. Normally, it’s maybe 40 percent. They’re coming in a complete mess, hair missing, wounds, skinny, flea ridden, emaciated. It’s out of control now.”

McIntosh has worked at the shelter for six years, and this flood of dogs is unprecedented, he said.

“Eight of the last 10 dogs that came in were pit bulls,” he said.

Costly
“No one wants them,” Tomsha-Ellberg said on Facebook. “This is a drain on finances and a huge strain on our staff and volunteers.”

The shelter hired another person last week to help, she said, and issued a plea Monday for adopters.

The friendly pit bull that McIntosh showed the NewsTribune had scratches on its head.

“This dog’s probably going to cost us $200,” McIntosh said.

It is unfortunate that rescuers and backyard breeders are bringing pit bulls into LaSalle County because up to now, pit bull attacks have been relatively uncommon.  Expect that to change.

Read more:
News Trib

Related posts:
Jul 10, 2016 Most Joliet Dog Attacks are by Pit Bulls; Residents Reporting More
Dec 05, 2013 Chicago Tribune: Pit bulls flood shelters, strain rescuers
Sep 28, 2012 Pit bull Kills elderly miniature poodle; euthanized
Jul 07, 2010 La Salle Co Pit Bull Destroyed After Attack on Yorkie