For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ANIMAL AT LARGE. Any animal not secured by a leash or lead or under the control of a responsible person and off the premises of the owner.
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER. The employee of the city responsible for the enforcement of this subchapter and all other applicable Animal Control laws and regulations.
ANIMAL SHELTER. Any facility operated by a humane society of the county, or its authorized agents, for the purpose of impounding animals under the authority of this subchapter for care, confinement, return to owner, adoption or euthanasia.
BITE. To cut with teeth.
CIRCUS. A commercial variety show featuring animal acts for public entertainment.
CONFINEMENT STRUCTURE.
(1) A securely locked pen, kennel or structure designed and constructed for the keeping of a vicious or dangerous animal(s), which shall be designed, constructed and maintained in accordance with 510 ILCS 5/1 et seq.
(2) All structures erected to house vicious or dangerous dogs must comply with all zoning and building regulations.
(3) All such structures must be adequately lighted, ventilated and kept in a clean and sanitary condition.
DOMESTIC ANIMAL. An animal of a species that has been bred and raised to live in or about the habitation of humans and is dependent on people for food and shelter.
KENNEL. Any premises wherein any person engages in the business of boarding, breeding, buying, letting for hire, training for a fee or selling animals. It shall consist of more than three dogs, cats or other domestic animals over four months of age.
LEASH. A cord, chain, rope, strap or other such physical restraint having a tensile strength reasonably capable of controlling the animal under restraint.
MUZZLE. A device constructed of strong, soft material or metal, made in a manner which will not cause injury to the animal(s) or interfere with its vision or respiration, but prevents it from biting any person or animal.
OWNER. Any person, partnership, association or corporation or agent thereof owning, keeping or harboring one or more animals. An animal shall be deemed to be harbored if it is fed or sheltered for 30 consecutive days or more.
PUBLIC NUISANCE or PUBLIC NUISANCE ANIMAL.
(1) Any animal or animals that unreasonably annoy humans, endanger the life or health of any other animal or person or substantially interfere with the rights of citizens, other than their owners, to enjoyment of life or property. The term
PUBLIC NUISANCE ANIMAL shall mean and include, but is not limited to: any animal that is repeatedly found at large; attacks other domestic animals; damages the property of anyone other than its owner; molests or intimidates pedestrians or passerby; chases vehicles or cycles; excessively makes disturbing noises, including, but not limited to, continued and repeated howling, barking, whining or other utterances causing unreasonable annoyance, disturbance or discomfort to neighbors or others in close proximity to the premises where the animal is kept or harbored for a continuous period in excess of ten minutes; or has been determined by the city’s Animal Control Officer, after notice to its owner, to be a PUBLIC NUISANCE ANIMAL by virtue of being a menace to the public health, welfare or safety.
(2) The term
PUBLIC NUISANCE shall mean and including, but not be limited to, a condition which causes fouling of the air by odor and thereby creates unreasonable annoyance, or discomfort to neighbors or others in close proximity to the premises where the animal is kept or harbored; causes unsanitary conditions in enclosures or surroundings where the animal is kept or harbored; is offensive or dangerous to the public health, safety or welfare by virtue of the number and/or types of animals maintained.
RESTRAINT. Any animal secured by a leash or lead or under the control of a responsible person and obedient to that person’s commands, or within the real property limits of its owner(s).
VICIOUS OR DANGEROUS DOG OR CAT. Any individual dog or cat which when either unmuzzled, unleashed or unattended by its owner or a person responsible for the animal’s care, in a vicious or terrorizing manner, approaches any person in an apparent of attack upon streets, sidewalks or any public grounds or places. The Police Department shall cause such dog or cat to be destroyed.
WILD ANIMAL. Any member of a species not customarily used as an ordinary household pet, but which would ordinarily be confined to a zoo or one which could ordinarily be found in the wilderness of this or any other country, or one which otherwise causes a reasonable person to be fearful of bodily harm or property damages. A WILD ANIMAL shall include, but not be limited to, any poisonous reptile or any other dangerous or carnivorous wild animal or reptile, except fish in an aquarium or captive-bred species of common cage birds.
(1960 Code, § 13-1-1) (Ord. 7217, passed 1-5-2009)