Local Dangerous Dog Ordinances Limiting Your Freedom?

by Dr. Chris

March 8, 2010: It seems like more and more cities are trying to put restrictions on what they deem as dangerous dog breeds, like pit bulls. One of those cities is the city of Elgin, Illinois, which is just outside of Chicago.

The proposed city ordinance, if it passes, would require owners would have “dangerous dogs” to carry $500,000 of liability insurance. In addition to that, the owner’s backyard would have to have a six foot high fence with locks.

The ordinance goes on to require pet owners to have these dogs spayed or neutered, microchipped and to muzzle them in public.

This makes it very difficult for people who have certain breeds of dogs, like pit bulls, that are labeled as dangerous.

First of all you have to find an insurance company who could give you a $500,000 dangerous dog insurance policy on a dog, which would be hard to do, likely hard to afford.

Second, many subdivisions to not allow people to have 6 foot high fencing around their property.

What do you think?

Do you think so called “dangerous dog breeds” should be banned, or should it be on an individual dog basis?

If it is on an individual dog basis, who gets to decide when the dog is dangerous? Is it after the dog attacks someone? Or in this case, is breed profiling justified?

Or is this yet another loss on our individual freedoms as Americans? Let me know your thoughts below!

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