North Cook News

The City of Park Ridge Animal Commission gathered for a meeting Monday, May 2.

The Park Ridge Animal Commission consists of three citizen members who serve overlapping three-year terms. Its objective is to make determinations regarding whether a particular animal is a dangerous animal or at-risk animal, as defined in the Park Ridge Municipal Code. The commission meets as needed.

Here are the meeting minutes as provided by the City of Park Ridge Animal Commission:

Animal Commission Meeting

Second Floor Conference Room

Monday, May 2, 2016

6:00 p.m.

Members Present: Kevin Collins & Bill Urquhart

Members Absent: Marion Ignoffo

Staff Present: CSO Manager D. Hayse, Recording Secretary K. Hodge

Others Present:

The meeting was called to order at 6:04 p.m.

I. Roll Call - Roll Call was taken. Commissioner Ignoffo was absent.

II. Approve Minutes – Commissioner Urquhart made a motion to approve the minutes from the

April 4, 2016 meeting. Commissioner Collins seconded. The motion carried.

III. Action Items

1. Review Removal of #12-27694

The following person indicated her presence: dog owner Ms. Carol Paddock. In summary, Ms. Paddock stated that her dog “Kaner” was involved in an incident in 2012. At the time of the incident, Kaner was approximately 2 years old. Ms. Paddock’s son was walking Kaner and their other dog, Ginger, when a squirrel crossed their path and Kaner yanked, ran and chased the squirrel up a tree. The victim was walking by as this happened, and Kaner ran up to the victim, jumped and bit her elbow, and she suffered some skin breakage. Ms. Paddock received Dog at Large and Failure to Control Animal tickets. Kaner has not had any other incidents, and has mellowed a little with age.

Commissioner Urquhart stated that Kaner has been to three of his obedience classes. He socialized and learned some obedience. They attended class and participated, and he improved over time.

CSO Manager Hayse stated that Ms. Paddock has been fully compliant with the ordinance while on the at-risk list.

Commissioner Collins made a motion to remove Kaner from the at-risk list. Commissioner Urquhart seconded. Motion carried.

2. Review removal of dangerous and at-risk dogs that have moved out of Park Ridge (however, must be reinstated if relocate back to Park Ridge)

CSO Manager Hayse stated that during a recent inspection of all the dogs on the at-risk and dangerous lists, it was determined that some dogs and their owners had moved out of Park Ridge. CSO Brian Clerkin followed up on those former residents, located addresses and phone numbers for them, and was able to positively determine that they had moved. If the

dogs move back into Park Ridge, they will be re-instated to their respective designations. The dogs that relocated are as follows:

 #11-12962, “Blanka” and “Boomer” from the 700 block of Florence (At-Risk)

 #12-24166, “Lola” from the 600 block of Elmore and 0-100 block of Park Lane (At-

Risk)

 #13-07128, “Rocky” from the 1200 block of S. Linden (At-Risk)

 #14-01031, “Otis” and “Rocky” from the 1000 block of Peale (Dangerous)

Commissioner Collins made a motion to remove the above listed dogs from the at-risk and dangerous lists. Commission Urquhart seconded. Motion carried.

3. Adopt Animal Commission Rules

In summary, CSO Manager Hayse consulted with City Attorney Simon to establish rules regarding organization, conduct of hearings, and general procedures for the Animal Commission. Many boards and commissions have these rules in place. All commissioners have reviewed and discussed the rules at a previous meeting.

Commissioner Collins made a motion to adopt the Animal Commission Rules. Commissioner Urquhart seconded. Motion carried.

It was agreed to nominate a chairperson, vice-chairperson and secretary at the next meeting with all commissioners in attendance.

IV. Old Business 1. #16-00669

Recording Secretary Hodge stated that the attorney representing the owner for case #16- 00669, appealed the Commission’s ruling. After reviewing the case, City Manager Hamilton denied the appeal, and the dog “Grace” remains on the at-risk list.

2. Dog off leash follow-up

Recording Secretary Hodge provided commissioners with a copy of the handouts that officers are distributing at parks and to people they see walking dogs. She will be following up on the request to distribute information when residents pay for dog licenses in the Finance Department. Also, Chief Kaminski addressed the on-going issue at the April 11 Committee of the Whole Meeting so the aldermen were aware of the off-leash dogs at the parks.

V. New Business

None

VI. Adjournment

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 6:22 p.m.