top of page

Work Samples

Family urges Shorewood to tighten vicious dog ordinances


A Shorewood family urged officials to take a closer look at the Village’s ordinances regulating vicious dogs during a Nov. 28 regular meeting of the Shorewood Village Board of Trustees.

Residents Rick and Karen Strysik, joined by their grandchildren and other relatives, took time to provide an update on their dog, Sydney, who became the subject of a pit bull attack the evening of Nov. 20.

“My dog had severe injuries from the bite and being shaken,” Rick said.

Since that time, the Strysik family has been in contact with the Village and Shorewood Police.

“We went to the police station to file a report,” Karen said. “The dog would remain in our neighbor’s home until an investigation was completed.”

On Nov. 23, Sydney died.

“In order to prevent this horrific killing from happening to another pet or child, we are here tonight to ask the board to review the Village of Shorewood’s process and procedures,” Karen said. “We loved our dog Sydney.”

Karen and Rick’s grandchildren held up board, which was affixed with some pictures of Sydney, in front of those in attendance for the Village Board meeting.

“To my knowledge and that comes straight from the Chief of Police, the dog is now out of Shorewood,” Mayor Rick Chapman said. “It’s not a danger to anybody in the Village. The dog will be tracked where it went, and a report will be sent to that community to tell them Shorewood has labeled it a vicious dog.”

Current ordinances give the Village some authority to address the matter.

Chapman stressed that if at any point the Strysik family spots that dog in or around their neighbor’s home, they are encouraged to contact Shorewood Police. The department would impound the dog and have it euthanized.

To further address the issue, Village is looking to form a group made up by two trustees and a member of legal staff to review and adjust the ordinances regulating vicious dogs.

“I’m going to ask Mr. Anderson to head this group of, and as quickly as we can try to put together an ordinance to come before the board,” Chapman said.

Hike in water, sewer rates approved

Also at the meeting, the Board of Trustees amended a policy outlining the Village’s water and sewer rates.

The water fee, as presented, will increase from $3.47 to $3.88 per 1,000 gallons, whereas the charges assessed for sewer use will jump from $11.98 to $12.55 per 1,000 gallons.

“These rates come from the water and sewer rates study that we conducted with Ehler’s Financial,” Finance Director Anne Burkholder said. “Those results were presented at our Committee of Whole meeting in September.”

Shorewood officials last reviewed water and sewer rate increases at their Nov. 14 meeting.

Chapman directed Village staff to find a way to lessen the resulting impact on seniors just as the Village of Minooka had.

Chapman stressed that Village Board approval has to occur and said the good news is access to Lake Michigan water is on the horizon.

In a 6-0 vote, Shorewood officials amended the Village’s policy outlining its water and sewer rates.

bottom of page