Chatham Village Board meets March 25
Board discusses dog and neglected property issues
By Joe Pritchett
Clarion Editor
The Chatham Village Board had a light agenda for Tuesday's regular meeting, with two items
dominating the discussion. All trustees and Mayor Tom Gray were present.
The first item dealt with an incident that occurred back on Feb. 16 on the 1100 block of Juniper
Place in Chatham, where a Chatham police officer was bitten by a bullmastiff, a 125-pound dog.
It was originally thought that the village could pursue to have the dog classified as
"dangerous" or "vicious" by the Sangamon County Animal Control Office.
However, as attorney John Myers explained, a technicality has left County officials unable or
unwilling to pursue the matter further.
According to laws currently on the books, there is a 10-day period in which, after a Sangamon
County Animal Control officer has notice of an incident, in which to initiate a formal investigation.
According to Myers, no "formal" investigation of the matter has taken place by County Animal
Control, thus the 10-day period, in essence has elapsed. And therefore, as Myers continued,
the village's case would not hold up in court if challenged, at least that is the contention from
County officials.
Several village officials, including Director Del McCord and board member Jeanne Boyle,
were perplexed, to say the least, with the situation.
"The deadline was missed," Myers explained. "The statute doesn't say whose responsibility it
is to get the investigation initiated.
"I don't know that there's anyone to blame here," he continued. "But their contention is that if
this case was brought to court, we would lose. Now, we know that the next time something like
this happens, we will have to insist on an investigation as soon as possible."
Still, the village has another avenue to pursue - the Dept. of Agriculture. Myers said the village
will try to get the dog declared as "dangerous". In order to have a chance to be declared as
"vicious", the victim, in this case Chatham Police Officer Adam DeJaynes, would have had to
suffer major or possibly life-threatening injuries, Myers said. In this case, DeJaynes was bitten
on the arm and required stitches, though the dog had to be shot to be subdued.
The difference between a "dangerous" and "vicious" dog is a big one, Myers added. If a dog
is considered dangerous, a warning sign would have to be posted in the area, but there are
really no other restrictions. A dog classified as vicious has severe restrictions and must
remain confined and muzzled. If a dog is considered dangerous over three separate incidents,
it is automatically declared as vicious, Myers added.
"The village really wants to send a message to the owner that we are dead serious about
this," Myers explained. "At the very least we want to have strike one on this dog."
"I think you have to think about the people in that neighborhood," McCord added. "If that had
been a teenager or young child instead of a police officer with a gun, the outcome would have
been different."
•A second item of discussion centered around the property at 715 E. Locust, at the corner of
Park and Locust in Chatham. The owners of the residence in question have been notified
about several violations, including trash in the yard, animal waste and illegally parked vehicles.
A 15-day notice to correct the violations was given, or the village will pursue further action.
The village has received numerous complaints about the situation.
"In all my years with all these villages I've been with, this is as bad as I've seen," Myers
described.
McCord went on to talk about the need for a code enforcement officer position in the village,
and discussions will continue to that end.
•The board approved two ordinances. The first was for $293,000 for the 2008 MFT (Motor Fuel
Tax) program, the action essentially appropriating the money for the village. Bids and where
roadwork will be done this summer are forthcoming.
A second ordinance approved a bid of $66,100 from General Electric for substation equipment.
This communication equipment will connect the controls from the existing substation in
Chatham to the new one planned for the north edge of town on Route 4 and on to a substation
to the north in Springfield.
•Village committee meetings will be held Tuesday, April 1, beginning at 6 p.m. with
Administration.
Board discusses dog and neglected property issues
By Joe Pritchett
Clarion Editor
The Chatham Village Board had a light agenda for Tuesday's regular meeting, with two items
dominating the discussion. All trustees and Mayor Tom Gray were present.
The first item dealt with an incident that occurred back on Feb. 16 on the 1100 block of Juniper
Place in Chatham, where a Chatham police officer was bitten by a bullmastiff, a 125-pound dog.
It was originally thought that the village could pursue to have the dog classified as
"dangerous" or "vicious" by the Sangamon County Animal Control Office.
However, as attorney John Myers explained, a technicality has left County officials unable or
unwilling to pursue the matter further.
According to laws currently on the books, there is a 10-day period in which, after a Sangamon
County Animal Control officer has notice of an incident, in which to initiate a formal investigation.
According to Myers, no "formal" investigation of the matter has taken place by County Animal
Control, thus the 10-day period, in essence has elapsed. And therefore, as Myers continued,
the village's case would not hold up in court if challenged, at least that is the contention from
County officials.
Several village officials, including Director Del McCord and board member Jeanne Boyle,
were perplexed, to say the least, with the situation.
"The deadline was missed," Myers explained. "The statute doesn't say whose responsibility it
is to get the investigation initiated.
"I don't know that there's anyone to blame here," he continued. "But their contention is that if
this case was brought to court, we would lose. Now, we know that the next time something like
this happens, we will have to insist on an investigation as soon as possible."
Still, the village has another avenue to pursue - the Dept. of Agriculture. Myers said the village
will try to get the dog declared as "dangerous". In order to have a chance to be declared as
"vicious", the victim, in this case Chatham Police Officer Adam DeJaynes, would have had to
suffer major or possibly life-threatening injuries, Myers said. In this case, DeJaynes was bitten
on the arm and required stitches, though the dog had to be shot to be subdued.
The difference between a "dangerous" and "vicious" dog is a big one, Myers added. If a dog
is considered dangerous, a warning sign would have to be posted in the area, but there are
really no other restrictions. A dog classified as vicious has severe restrictions and must
remain confined and muzzled. If a dog is considered dangerous over three separate incidents,
it is automatically declared as vicious, Myers added.
"The village really wants to send a message to the owner that we are dead serious about
this," Myers explained. "At the very least we want to have strike one on this dog."
"I think you have to think about the people in that neighborhood," McCord added. "If that had
been a teenager or young child instead of a police officer with a gun, the outcome would have
been different."
•A second item of discussion centered around the property at 715 E. Locust, at the corner of
Park and Locust in Chatham. The owners of the residence in question have been notified
about several violations, including trash in the yard, animal waste and illegally parked vehicles.
A 15-day notice to correct the violations was given, or the village will pursue further action.
The village has received numerous complaints about the situation.
"In all my years with all these villages I've been with, this is as bad as I've seen," Myers
described.
McCord went on to talk about the need for a code enforcement officer position in the village,
and discussions will continue to that end.
•The board approved two ordinances. The first was for $293,000 for the 2008 MFT (Motor Fuel
Tax) program, the action essentially appropriating the money for the village. Bids and where
roadwork will be done this summer are forthcoming.
A second ordinance approved a bid of $66,100 from General Electric for substation equipment.
This communication equipment will connect the controls from the existing substation in
Chatham to the new one planned for the north edge of town on Route 4 and on to a substation
to the north in Springfield.
•Village committee meetings will be held Tuesday, April 1, beginning at 6 p.m. with
Administration.
Chatham Clarion
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Issue Date: March 27, 2008