North Cook News

City of Park Ridge Animal Commission met April 3.

Here is the minutes provided by the Commission:

Members Present: Dick Barton, Marion Ignoffo

Members Absent:

Staff Present: Community Service Officer Rich Schipp, Administrative Supervisor K. Poirier, Recording Secretary I. Feiereisel

Others Present: Norbert Girczynski, Krystyna Gierczynska, Jennifer Huber

The meeting was called to order at 6:02 p.m.

I. Roll Call - Roll Call was taken. There was a quorum.

II. Approve Minutes – Commissioner Ignoffo made a motion to approve the February 26, 2018 minutes. Commissioner Barton seconded.

Motion carried 2/0, by voice vote.

III. Action Items

A.Review Case #18-00288

Ms. Huber identified herself as the owner of the offending dog, Hunter. The victim was not present. Commissioner Ignoffo provided summary information and asked Ms. Huber to provide her recollection of the incident. Ms. Huber stated she has 3 sons and that Hunter has always been docile. The dog seemed leery of the Mr. Drochak, the victim who was doing repair work at the house. She stated she does not know why this happened and believed that the dog nipped and Mr. Drochak may have sustained a puncture wound. Commission Ignoffo asked if Hunter had attended obedience training and Ms. Huber replied no, they have had the dog for 3 years and he was less than 12 months old when they got him.

This case will be continued to allow the victim to provide his details of the incident.

B. Review Case #18-00439

Ms. Gierczynska identified herself as the victim of the dog bite. Her son, Mr. N. Girczynski stated he would help translate for her. Commissioner Ignoffo asked them to recap the incident. Mr. N. Girczynski translated, that his mother and Ms. Liwinski drive to work together, Mr. Liwinski, the home owner opened the garage door and walked in with Ms. Gierczynska. He stated that the dog was aggressive but was not on the first floor. The dog then came down the stairs and as she was sitting on the couch bit her on the mouth. She pulled the dog away. She had no prior contact with the dog and had never entered the house prior to this evening.

Commissioner Ignoffo asked if the owners were in the room and for information on the wound.

The response was yes, Ms. Liwinski was coming down the stairs at the time. The wound required stitches and plastic surgery, as she was bitten through the upper lip. A photo was provided. Commissioner Ignoffo inquired if the dog owners paid the medical bills and they stated they are currently working with their attorney regarding this. Ms. Gierczynska, through her son’s translation, stated she did not provoke the dog and that she likes dogs and does not want the dog to be harmed.

The Commissioners provided the definition of a ‘dangerous dog’ and the requirements that the owner must fulfill when a dog is deemed dangerous.

Commissioner Ignoffo made a motion to deem the dog as dangerous. Commissioner Barton seconded.

Motion carried by roll call vote, 2/0.

IV. Discussion

A.Ordinance Update

Commissioner Ignoffo stated she reviewed prior meeting minutes related to ordinance updates. These ordinance updates were previously noted: disallowing the use of retractable leashes and incremental fines for dog a large. Administrative Supervisor K. Poirier added that she would like add details for non compliance of at risk and dangerous dog requirements. Commission Barton suggested preparing these ordinance edits for the next meeting so that they can then be presented to the City attorney for review.

V. Old Business

None.

VI. New Business

None.

VII. Adjournment

There being no other business meeting was adjourned at 6:37 p.m.

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