For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the following meanings:
CONFINED: Restriction of a dog at all times by the owner and/or agent, to an escape proof building or other enclosure away from other animals and the public.
CONTROL: Any owned dog that is either secured by a leash or lead not more than six feet (6') in length, or within the premises of its owner, or confined within a crate or cage, or confined within a vehicle.
DANGEROUS DOG: Any individual dog which when either unmuzzled, unleashed, or unattended by its owner, or a member of its owner's family, in a vicious or terrorizing manner, approaches any person in an apparent attitude of attack upon streets, sidewalks, or any public ground or places, or on private property other than the owner's.
DOG: Includes all members of the canine family, but shall not include any dog under three (3) months of age.
DOG LICENSE: A printed form prescribed by the village for the purpose of recording pertinent information as required under this chapter for the issuance of a dog tag.
DOG TAG: The physical metal tag issued to owners and/or agents of dogs after completion of a dog license application. The tag shall have stamped thereon the year for which the fee is paid, the identifying description, and the number of the tag to correspond with the number on the dog license certificate.
ESCAPE PROOF BUILDING OR OTHER ENCLOSURE: A building or other enclosure of such strength and structure to keep the confined dog away from other animals and the public.
GUARD DOG: A dog used in a commercial business or by a police department for the purpose of patrol and protection security.
GUIDE DOG: A dog trained by a recognized organization to lead the legally blind, the hearing impaired or support dogs for the physically handicapped person.
HAS BEEN BITTEN: Has been seized with teeth or jaws, so that the person or animal seized has been nipped or gripped, or has been wounded or pierced and further includes contact of saliva with any break or abrasion of skin, or mucous membrane.
HOME CONFINEMENT: The dog must be kept within the house where the owner, caretaker, harborer is residing. If outside, the dog must remain on the property of its owner and kept on a six foot (6') leash or monitored within a secure enclosure.
HUMANELY DISPATCHED: The painless administration of a lethal dose of an agent which shall cause the painless death of a dog as prescribed by the American Veterinary Medical Association. Said method shall not destroy brain tissue necessary for laboratory examination for rabies. Dogs shall be handled prior to administration of the agent in such a manner as to avoid undue apprehension by the dog.
IMPOUNDED: Taken into the custody of a police officer and placed in an animal shelter or veterinary hospital/clinic in the county where the dog is found under control of the police department.
INOCULATION AGAINST RABIES: The injection of a rabies vaccine approved by the Illinois department of agriculture and administered by a licensed veterinarian in accordance with the company's recommendations for the vaccine used.
LEASH: A cord, rope, strap, or chain which shall be securely fastened to the collar or harness of a dog and shall be of sufficient strength to keep such dog under control.
LICENSED VETERINARIAN: A veterinarian licensed by the state in which he engages in the practice of veterinary medicine.
OWNER: Any person having a right of property in a dog, or who keeps or harbors a dog, or who has it in his/her care, or acts as its custodian, or who knowingly permits the dog to remain on or about any premises occupied by him/her.
POUND: Any facility approved by the chief of police or designee for the purpose of enforcing this chapter and used as a shelter for seized, stray, homeless, abandoned or unwanted dogs or other animals.
PUBLIC OR PRIVATE NUISANCE: Any dog or dogs which molests or attacks a person or a passing vehicle, attacks other animals, is found to be a dangerous animal, is found to be running at large, damages private property or barks, whines or howls in an excessive, continuous or untimely manner.
RUN LINE: A system of tying a dog with a collar and clasp of adequate strength in a place with either a rope or chain having a tensile strength of at least three hundred (300) pounds and so located that the dog is on the owner's private property and it is at least three feet (3') from any public ways.
RUNNING AT LARGE: Those dogs which are not under "control" as defined herein.
SEIZE: Will County animal control department or any officer of the law is authorized to enter upon public or private property; for the purpose of impounding any dog, which has been found to be in violation of this chapter.
STRAYING: A dog not on the premises of the owner or not confined or under control as set forth in this chapter.
VICIOUS DOG: (A) Any individual dog that when unprovoked inflicts bites or attacks a human being or other animals either on public or private property.
(B) Any individual dog with a known propensity, tendency or disposition to attack, without provocation, to cause injury or to otherwise endanger the safety of human beings or domestic animals.
(C) Any individual dog that has a trait or characteristic and a generally known reputation for viciousness, dangerousness or unprovoked attacks upon human beings or other animals, unless handled in a particular manner or with special equipment.
(D) Any individual dog which attacks a human being or domestic animal without provocation.
(E) Any individual dog which has been found to be a "dangerous dog" upon three (3) separate occasions.
(F) No dog shall be deemed "vicious" if it bites, attacks or menaces a trespasser on the property of its owner or harms or menaces anyone who has tormented or abused it or is a professionally trained dog for law enforcement or guard duties. (Ord. 1173, 2-11-2013)