Dear Mayor Abramson,
City Council members,
Leonard A. Watkins,Dr. Barbara Shanklin,Mary C.
Woolridge,David W. Tandy,Cheri Bryant Hamilton,George
Unseld,Kenneth C. FlemTom Owening,Tina Ward-Pugh,Jim
King,Kevin Kramer,Rick Blackwell,Ron Weston,Robert
Henderson,George Melton,Kelly Downard,Glen Stuckel,Julie
Raque Adams,Julie Raque Adams,Hal Heiner,Stuart Benson,Dan
Johnson,Robin Engel,James Peden,Madonna Flood,Doug
Hawkins,Ellen Call
My name is Jeff Armstrong, and the reason for this letter is. It as
been brought to my attention that Louisville Kentucky is
still considering proposing restrictions on only Pit Bull
Type dogs..
When my son Ryan was attacked in 2001and almost killed, yes by a
stray dangerous dog who had attacked two other times. I wanted all
Rottweilers off this earth period...
When I first saw my son lying there and was so near death...
Then once I got Ryan home, came to my senses and I did a ton of
research. All dogs attack.
I found that one of the smallest what we all call a lap dog ( a
Pomeranian) attacked a baby in a play pen and killed that baby in
California.
A pack of Chihuahuas
attacked a police officer in California and he had to be treated at
the hospital, no he wasn't killed, but none the less attacked. If
that had been a child the damage could have been as bad as if it
was a large breed. As the victim's size has a lot to do with an
attack.
Now again all dogs have teeth...
So on the first phone call that I made to my state rep, after
proving whose dog almost killed my son Ryan. With the use of DNA
evidence, I said all dogs this must be doable fair yet extremely
strict....and the owner was charged a whopping $200.00 fine and six
months court supervision because our laws lacked in Illinois...Not
any more....
On August 19,2003 Governor Blagojevich signed HB184 into law, as he
saw the need and all that I lobbied for must be law. Now know as the
Ryan Armstrong Law in Illinois.
Their was nothing I could do for my son Ryan, but I could not sit
back and let another irresponsible dog owners pet possible kill
or seriously injure another child.
Now I have to ask, and I will not tell you how to run your
fine City, but how will this stop and or curb
dangerous/vicious dog attacks in Louisville?
How will singling out this breed make the children safe?
Are these the only dogs that have been cited in Louisville for
attacks?
Well I would say this will do nothing to keep your city safe from
dangerous dogs.
Dangerous dogs come in all sizes, shapes, colors and yes breeds.
When I testified in McHenry county after that horrible attack in
Cary Illinois.
They too wanted all Pit Bulls banned. And their worst reported breed
was the Labrador Retriever.
Which by the way a Labrador Retriever took off a woman's face in
France just recently, that made the news as they re attached her
face with a transplanted face otherwise we would have never heard
about that attack. As they are not newsworthy...
So I asked them maybe that should be the banned breed as the stats
show they are the bad guy in McHenry County.
The task force did agree that it will be all dogs and they supported
some recent amendments and now law to Ryans Law.
They made this right and safer for the citizens of Mc Henry county.
Once you single out any particular breed the others are off
the hook..
Also Ryans law states no breed profiling...
(510 ILCS 5/24) (from Ch. 8, par. 374)
Sec. 24. Nothing in this Act shall be held to limit in
any manner the power of any municipality or other political
subdivision to prohibit animals from running at large, nor
shall anything in this Act be construed to, in any manner,
limit the power of any municipality or other political
subdivision to further control and regulate dogs, cats or
other animals in such municipality or other political
subdivision provided that no regulation or
ordinance is
specific to breed including a requirement of
inoculation
against rabies.
(Source: P.A. 82-783.)
Due Process
Rational Basis
Now by banning a specific breed and or restricting a breed, will
this create a safer environment?
Well that answer I will leave up to you...
As you have done the research as to why they are the only dogs
that attack..
I am the first to say we need to stop and or curb these
senseless dog attacks, as I have witnessed what they can do to a
young child ( my son ).
Also my nationwide group PAIDO does not support any breed
specific legislation and or ordinances.
Governor Blagojevich signed two more dangerous dog bills into
law, this past summer.
The first carries a Class 4 Felony if your dog is deemed
dangerous and attacks again. And a Class 2 Felony if your dog
was deemed vicious and attacks again.
Both carry prison time from 5-7 years and fines in excess of
$25,OOO.
Both of these laws have now increased Ryan's Law yet another
notch.
We had eleven bills this past session that were all withdrawn,
and or tabled, because they contained breed specific language.
They simple do not work.
A group of elementary students had a class assignment, the
school that won, their state rep would propose what the students
thought would be a good bill.
The bill they wanted proposed was that municipalities in
Illinois do not propose and or pass breed specific ordinances,
as these children did not want to loose their long loved pets.
Synopsis As Introduced
Urges the State to encourage
municipalities not to enact breed-specific dog bans and to
encourage municipalities to establish programs that educate
residents and to pass laws targeting irresponsible dog owners.
In closing a recent Ohio ruling has found these bans
unconstitutional on several counts...If needed I will e-mail you
a copy.
Thank you for your time and please make this right the people
are counting on you to do this...
Please feel free to contact me if any furture information and or
help is needed.
Thank you
Links Below:
The Chicago Task
Force on Companion Animals and Public Safety
I feel it is very important that villages, cites and towns look
into the state
laws before they just start rounding up peoples property. They
might also be in
violation of the Constitution.
And a dog can only be deemed dangerous and or vicious if it
meets the
requirements. Not all
Rottweilers
and Pit Bulls are vicious.
Recent stories:
May 31,2006
CBS 2 Chicago interviews Ryan.
http://cbs2chicago.com/video?id=23021@wbbm.dayport.com
Governor signs bills to crack down on dangerous, vicious dogs
Ap
By
RYAN
KEITH
Associated Press Writer
Published May 31, 2006, 2:31 PM CDT
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/illinois/chi-ap-il-dogattacks,1,4043007.story
New laws weighed for dog owners
By Gary Washburn
Tribune staff reporter
Published May 29, 2006
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/chi-0605290108may29,1,7440004.story
Ap
RYAN
KEITH Associated Press
http://www.belleville.com/mld/belleville/13431351.htm
Recent attacks prompt more legislative attention on vicious dogs
A dog's life
Pit bulls and shepherds and
chows
* oh my! Being vicious isn't easy, and I
should know. Armstrong is a big deal in
doggie politics;
http://www.illinoistimes.com/gyrobase/Content?oid=oid%3A5032
From The Northwest Herald
Changes sought for dog law
http://www.nwherald.com/CommunitySection/slupski/322175047699428.php
Pit bulls to be tested for marijuana
Tribune staff reporter By Carolyn
Starks
Published November 15, 2005, 8:25 PM CST
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chi-051115marijuana,1,3883886.story?ctrack=1&cset=true
Harsher penalties in dog attacks urged
http://www.pioneerlocal.com/cgi-bin/ppo-story/localnews/current/cg/12-01-05-760774.html
Prison sought in animal attacks
Stiff punishment outlined for owners
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/chicago/chi-0512050013dec05,1,170062.story
"Forget the warning shot," said Jeff Armstrong, a founder of
Parents Against
Irresponsible Dog Owners and the father of a boy who survived a
dog attack. "Put
them in jail."
Attacking pit bull shot by cop
Boland calls for tougher
vicious animal laws
http://www.clintonherald.com/local/local_story_340103850.html
His board has a unique perspective because Trustee Judy
Armstrong is related to
the Ryan Armstrong, the young boy who was injured in Leyden
Township in Cook
County in 2003. His father, Jeff, is h er brother-in-law and he
pushed for the
law that was eventually named for his son, who suffered damages
to his hand,
chest and forearm.
http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/newssun/top/w03pitbull.htm
Famous Postings
http://wgnradio.com/weblog/petcentral/index.html
Jeff Armstrong, a man I admire greatly for making a difference.
Ryan's Law in
Illinois is named for his son who was attacked by a
Rottweiler. When local
politicians said, 'Jeff, let's ban that breed!' Jeff did his
homework and
learned that there's no logical reason to blame a breed, but
rather to create
laws that ho ld people to be responsible for what their animals
do.
Steve Dale
WGN Pet Central
show
Leyden man still battles to curb vicious pets BY CHUCK
FIELDMAN
STAFF WRITER
http://archives.pioneerlocal.com/cgi-bin/ppo-story/archives/localnews/2005/nl/04-27-05-562066.html
ASPCA on line meeting tapes.
http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer?pagename=lobby_dangerousdogs&JServSessionIdr005=nkpot3smr1.app28a
PAIDO: Parents Against Irresponsible Dog Owners
http://www.geminiz.com/ArmstrongAct/Index.htm
Illinois Public Act # 093-0548 "The Ryan Armstrong Law"
http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/publicacts/fulltext.asp?name=093-0548&GA=093
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 19, 2003
Blagojevich signs law to protect the public from vicious dogs
Legislation spurred by attack on Leyden Tow nship youth
http://www.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=1&RecNum=2226
Father fights for tougher laws after son attacked by Rottweiler
http://archives.pioneerlocal.com/cgi-bin/ppo-search?qmode=SELECTED&format=ppo-short&paper2=&archive=localnews&year=2002&words=Jeff+Armstrong
One man's crusade
http://archives.pioneerlocal.com/cgi-bin/ppo-search?config=localnews_2003&qmode=&format=ppo-short&words=Jeff%20Armstrong&page=1
Governor signs bill to protect people from Dangerous dogs.
;&nbs p;
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=News&id=469184
Jeff Armstrong decided he couldn't let it happen to other
children.
http://nwitimes.com/articles/2003/08/20/news/local_illinois/9acd3b81025fba9a86256d88000d93f3.txt
Savino's Dog Bill becomes Law.
http://www.skipsaviano.com/press/08_august /081903.ht ml
Silvestri wants dog law
http://archives.pioneerlocal.com/cgi-bin/ppo-story/archives/localnews/2003/we/09-03-03-98654.html
Public Meeting.
http://www.co.cook.il.us/secretary/CommitteePages/Meeting%20Notices%20&%20Agendas/Public%20Health%20Subcommittee/2004/01-21-04.htm
Cook County has adopted the "Ryan Armstrong Law"
http://www.cookctyclerk.com/html/012204orddoc.htm
04-O-09
ORDINANCE
Sponsored by
THE HONORABLE PETER N. SILVESTRI, COUNTY COMMISSIONER
AN AMENDMENT REGARDING VICIOUS AND DANGEROUS DOGS
TO THE COOK COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL ORDINANCE
WHEREAS, House Bill 184, "An Act Regarding Vicious Dogs",
sponsored by State
Representative Angelo "Skip" Saviano was recently approved by
the Illinois State
Legislature and signed into law by Governor Rod Blagojevich on
Tuesday, August
19th, 2003 in unincorporated Leyden Township; and
WHEREAS, House Bill 184 was enacted as a result of a vicious
attack on 9 year
old Ryan Armstrong, in Leyden Township; and
WHEREAS, House Bill 184 provides additional responsibilities
upon
neglectful or
malicious dog owners and additional penalties on such dog owners
for the vicious
conduct towards humans and other animals.
NOW, THEREFORE, AND IT IS HEREBY ORDAINED, that the President
and Members of the
Cook County Board of Commissioners amends the Cook County Animal
Control
Ordinance to revoke Section 20-10 regarding vicious dogs and to
approve and
incorporate the provisions of a new Section 20-10 as follows:
"The Ryan
Armstrong Law", enacted into law as HB 184 as Sections 20-10 A.
through 20-10 L.
M. Effective Date.
This Act takes effect upon becoming law.
Approved and adopted this 22nd day of January 2004
Illinois Leader
http://www.illinoislea der.com/lette rs/lettersview.asp?c=12018
Armstrong Law puts Illinois on right track
By William Barker, M.D., Bettendorf
http://www.qctimes.net/articles/2005/08/11/opinion/letters/doc42fada0370f8e271656380.txt
Victim's dad sees past breed ban
By Jeff Armstrong, Parents Against Irresponsible Dog Owners,
Melrose Park, Ill.
http://www.qctimes.net/articles/2005/08/10/opinion/letters/doc42f989f8bc507246368084.txt
You cannot prevent a tragedy that has already happe ned. You can
lead your
community towards effective, efficient, fair and enforceable dog
legislation
which, when coupled with community education, will make your
community safer.
http://www.animalfarmfoundation.org/section.php?id=4
Breed banning did not help that poor woman that was brutally
murdered!
http://www.3dink.com/letter.htm
+illinois&clickedItemURN=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.co.mchenry.il.us%2FCommon%2FCountyBrd%2FMtgDocs%2F20060103ctybd%2F010306bd11.2.pdf&title=RESOLUTION"
target=_blank s_oidt="0" s_oid= "http://aolsearch.aol.com/aol/redir?src=websearch&requestId=ef553767bd0b51d1&clickedItemRank=52&userQ">pdf
PUBLIC HEARING HELD ON JUNE 23, 2005 AT 7:03 P.M.
CORRECTED MINUTES OF THE CENTERPOINT PRESERVE REDEVELOPMENT
PUBLIC HEARING HELD ON JUNE 23, 2005 AT 7: 03 P.M.
http://www.northlakecity.com/minutes/publichearingjune23.htm
An email was received from Jeff Armstrong. Mr. Armstrong's son
Ryan was attacked
by a Rottweiler about 4 years ago. The person who owned the dog
received a slap
on the wrist for his negligence which almost cost his son his
life. Jeff
Armstrong spearheaded the efforts to get a law passed in
Illinois called the
Ryan Armstrong law. This law was passed in 2003 and holds dog
owners criminally
liable for the actions of their dogs. Mr. Armstrong addressed
the Committee and
explained his story and the law he pushed for. He explained the
importance of
dog socialization and thinks that the dog park is an excellent
idea and added
that he will be there for any support he can give.
10/5/03: Mauled kids bring outcry for dog laws with teeth
http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200660227027
12/17/03: Proposed dog law provides penalties
http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200660227028
Constitutional Issues will arise under the Fifth & Fourteenth
Amendment:
Amendment V No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or
otherwise
infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a grand
jury, except in
cases arising in the land or naval forc es, or in the milit ia,
when in actual
service in time of war or public danger; nor shall any person be
subject for the
same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor
shall be compelled
in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be
deprived of life,
liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall
private property be
taken for public use, without just compensation.
Amendment XIV Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the
United States,
and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the
United States and
of the state wherein they reside. No state shall make or enforce
any law which
shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the
United States; nor
shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or
property, without due
process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction
the equal
protection of the laws.