A new Illinois law puts owners of dangerous dogs on alert.

Dogs can already be deemed "dangerous" by authorities...and now owners whose dog has killed another pet and still let them run loose could be punished by the courts.

Senator Laura Murphy of Des Plaines sponsored the bill, saying owners need to be held responsible.

If found guilty...the dog owner will lose their pets and be banned from getting another dog for up to three years. The law kicks in January first.