Wednesday, January 15, 2014

911: Don't bother reporting dogs off the leash, the cops aren't coming

Chicago has a leash law, but offenders who break this law and put others at risk of being attacked by their dogs, are seldom questioned by authorities.

When Chicago News Report began monitoring 911 calls several years ago, we quickly realized some police dispatchers and police officers alike, don't take 911 calls regarding dogs off their lead, very seriously.

Tonight, a man reported another man walking his dog off the leash at the intersection of North State Street and East Grand Avenue, around 9:29 p.m.

Immediately afterwards, a female police dispatcher announced the call and quickly asked a responding officer for a code. Once a code is assigned, the dispatcher can close the call and focus on assigning other 911 calls.

A male officer, who did not investigate the incident, coded the 9:29 p.m. emergency call as a 19-Paul (other miscellaneous incident, other police services.)

Several years ago, a pit bull off its lead, tried to attack me on the lakefront in Edgewater.

I stopped the attack by hitting the dog in the face with a huge blast of pepper-spray. The chemicals were so powerful, the dog immediately dropped to the ground and started rubbing its face in the grass.

As a dog owner, I felt badly for the dog, because I wish I had not been put in that position.

The dog's owner, a young, white male with dark curly hair, threatened to kick my ass.

So, if we can't call 911 to protect us from irresponsible pet owners, who do we call?

3 comments:

  1. What planet are you from to obsess over this? One in a million dog owners in the city take their dog off the leash, its just far to dangerous and risky. Keep crying wolf and the cops won't come when you have a legitimate call. Perhaps you are the reason for you past "dog attack". They tend to sense someone who is unstable and threatening.

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  2. I tend to agree with the police. Who cares about dogs roaming without their leash when we have wild chimps running loose?!

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  3. Don t be surprised when fed up neighbors leave a bowl of radiator fluid out to refresh your unleashed dog.

    ReplyDelete

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