For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ADMINISTRATOR. The veterinarian licensed by the state and appointed pursuant to this code or his or her duly authorized representative.
ANIMAL. Any animal, other than humans, which may be affected by rabies.
ANIMAL CONTROL WARDEN. Any person appointed by the Mayor and approved by the Village Board to perform duties enforcing this chapter or any animal control official appointed and acting under authority of the County Board.
AT LARGE. Any dog shall be deemed to be AT LARGE when it is off the property of its owner and not under the control of a responsible person.
CAT. Any feline, regardless of age or sex.
CONFINED. Restriction of an animal at all times by the owner, or his or her agent, to an escape-proof building or other enclosure away from other animals and the public.
DANGEROUS DOG. Any individual dog anywhere other than upon the property of the owner or custodian of the dog and unmuzzled, unleashed, or unattended by its owner or custodian that behaves in a manner that a reasonable person would believe possesses a serious and unjustified imminent threat of serious physical injury or death to a person or companion animal or a dog that, without justification, bites a person and does not cause serious physical injury.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. The Department of Agriculture of the state.
DOG. All members of the family Canidae.
HAS BEEN BITTEN. Has been seized with the teeth or jaws so that the person or animal seized has been nipped, gripped, wounded or pierced, and further includes contact of saliva with any break or abrasion of the skin.
INOCULATION AGAINST RABIES. The injection of an anti-rabies vaccine approved by the Department.
KENNEL. Any establishment wherein any person engaged in the business of boarding, building, buying, grooming, letting for hire, training for a fee or selling dogs; provided, however, that the ownership of dogs which are a part of the household shall not constitute the operation of a kennel. KENNEL shall not include any animal control facility, any kennel, pound or training facility operated by any subdivision of local, state or federal government, any humane society or veterinary hospital.
LEASH. A cord, rope, strap or chain which shall be securely fastened to the collar or harness of a dog or other animal and shall be of sufficient strength to keep the dog or other animal under control.
LICENSED VETERINARIAN. A veterinarian licensed by the state in which he or she engages in the practice of veterinary medicine.
OWNER. A person having a right of property in a dog or who keeps or harbors a dog, or who has a dog in his or her care, or who acts as its custodian, or who knowingly permits a dog to remain on or about any premises occupied by him or her.
POUND. Any facility approved by the Administrator and licensed as such by the Department of Agriculture for the purpose of enforcing this chapter and used as a shelter for seized, stray, homeless, abandoned or unwanted dogs or other animals.
REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE. A printed form prescribed by the Department for the purpose of recording pertinent information as required by the Department under this code.
RESTRAINT. A dog is under RESTRAINT within the meaning of this code if he or she is controlled by a leash; at "heel" beside a responsible person; within a vehicle being driven or parked on the streets; or within the property limits of his or her owner or keeper.
SHADE. Protection from the direct rays of the sun during the months of June through September.
SHELTER. As it applies to dogs, a moisture-proof structure of suitable size to accommodate the dog and allow retention of body heat, made of durable material with a solid floor raised at least two inches from the ground and with the entrance covered by a flexible, wind-proof material. The structure shall be provided with a sufficient quantity of suitable bedding to provide insulation and protection against cold and dampness.
UNOWNED STRAY DOG. Any dog not on the premises of the owner or keeper or under control by leash or other recognized control methods, and which does not, at that time and place, bear a current rabies inoculation tag issued pursuant to the provisions of this chapter, by means of which, by reference to records of current registration certificates, the Administrator or his or her deputies or assistants may determine the name and address of the owner or keeper thereof, or some other means of identification from which the Administrator or his or her deputies or assistants may directly determine the name and address of the owner or keeper thereof.
VICIOUS ANIMAL. Any animal which has previously attacked or bitten any person or which has behaved in such a manner that the person who harbors the animal knows or should reasonably know that the animal is possessed of tendencies to attack or bite persons.
WILD ANIMAL. Any live monkey or ape, raccoon, skunk, fox, snake or other reptile, leopard, panther, tiger, lion, lynx or any other animal or any bird of prey which can normally be found in the wild state.
(2001 Code, § 3-1-2)
Statutory reference:
Similar provisions, see ILCS Ch. 510, Act 5, §§ 1-100 et seq.