SPRINGFIELD - Owners of dogs who attack people or pets would face stiffer penalties under legislation approved Friday by the Illinois House.

The measure would bring jail time and steep fines for dog owners who allow their pets to roam free and attack people.

The legislation's sponsor, state Rep. Mike Boland, D-East Moline, said dog owners must knowingly allow their animals to attack to be penalized.

"This is an important big step to take," Boland said. "We've never had a first attack penalty, and this gives us a first attack penalty."

Current law focuses on punishing the dogs, rather than the owners, Boland said.

Several dog attacks have occurred throughout the state, and lawmakers say current laws do not penalize dog owners enough.

"Until something like this happens in your community, you don't really understand the importance of the bill or the weaknesses of the law that we have currently," said state Rep. Mike Tryon, R-Crystal Lake, as he urged lawmakers to support the legislation.

Six children were attacked in Cary, which is in Tryon's district, by three pit bulls in November. Boland introduced the legislation in response to the death of 14-year-old Lydia Chaplin, who was attacked last year near her home by four dogs. After the attack, the Erie girl was found dead in a ditch, having succumbed to hypothermia.

The legislation would create punishments of up to three to five years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

All local lawmakers voted in favor of the legislation.