OPPOSE Illinois SB 3496 Barking Dogs

Introduced February 10 by Senator Dave Syverson (R-34)
T: (217) 782-5413

SUMMARY: Amends the Counties Code. Authorizes the county board to regulate and prohibit the ownership, keeping, possession, or harboring of dogs that by frequent or habitual howling, yelping, barking, or otherwise cause annoyance or disturbance within unincorporated areas of the county that have been subdivided for residence purposes. Authorizes a county board to impose fines and penalties for violations. Exempts veterinary hospitals and clinics operated by a licensed veterinarian and county pounds from ordinances to regulate barking dogs. Effective immediately.

SB 3496 has been amended. "For the purposes of this Section, "surrounding neighborhood" means the property upon which the violating dog is causing the annoyance or disturbance and all properties within 500 feet of that property."

Text and status of SB 3496

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* Hearing scheduled Mar 2 2010 in Agriculture and Conservation postponed; new hearing date will be posted when information becomes available *

TALKING POINTS

* There is no time limit specified or number of instances of yelping or barking to trigger a complaint being made. "Habitual" and "frequent" are arbitrary terms and could mean anything from once a month to once a day. Complaints could be lodged for dogs sounding the alarm at strangers approaching the kennel. The amount, duration and sound level of barking would be totally subjective.

* There are no exceptions for training kennels, rescue kennels, private kennels, or farms.

* There are no exceptions for actively working dogs, dogs in training or in field trials, dogs hunting on private land.

* Repeated violations of a noise ordinance could lead to dogs being seized.