4-4-2: DEFINITIONS:
   ANIMAL: A. For sections 4-4-1 and 4-4-3 of this chapter, "animal" is any mammal other than man which may be affected by rabies.
   B.   For section 4-4-9 of this chapter, "animal" means every living creature, domestic or wild, but does not include man.
   ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER: A person appointed by the city to effect this chapter.
   ANIMAL NUISANCE 1 : An owner is in violation of this chapter when he permits his animal to:
      Attack other animals.
      Bark, whine, howl or make other noises excessively.
      Create noxious or offensive odors.
      Damage property other than the owner's.
      Molest persons or vehicles by chasing, barking or biting.
      Run uncontrolled.
   BITE OR BITTEN: To seize with the teeth so that they enter, grip or wound. While piercing the skin may be a common result of a "bite", there is nothing in the language of this definition that requires that the skin be broken or a wound inflicted.
   DANGEROUS DOG: A. Any individual dog, when unmuzzled, unleashed, or unattended by its owner or custodian that behaves in a manner that a reasonable person would believe poses a serious and unjustified imminent threat of serious physical injury or death to a person or a companion animal in a public space.
   B.   Any dog that has been found to have bitten a person, as defined in this section.
   DANGEROUS OR VICIOUS ANIMAL: Any animal that is known to attack a person at any time without provocation whenever any person is peacefully conducting himself where he lawfully may be, or any animal that bites or otherwise injures a person three (3) or more times when the animal was not under proper control.
   DOG: All members of the family Canidae.
   ENCLOSURE: A fence or structure of at least six feet (6') in height, forming or causing an enclosure suitable to prevent the entry of young children, and suitable to confine a dangerous or vicious dog in conjunction with other measures which may be taken by the owner, such as tethering of the vicious dog within the enclosure. Such enclosure shall be securely enclosed and locked, and designed with secure sides, top and bottom, and shall be designed to prevent the animal from escaping from the enclosure. If the enclosure is a room within a residence, the door must be locked.
   FOUND TO BE A VICIOUS DOG: A. The animal control officer or an LEO has conducted an investigation in accordance with the provisions of the Illinois animal control act 2 and made a finding in writing that the dog is a "vicious dog", as defined in this section, and based on that finding, the animal control officer or LEO has declared in writing that the dog is a vicious dog; and
   B.   A judge of the circuit court of Cook County has found the dog to be a "vicious dog", as defined in this section, and has entered an order based on that finding.
   HARBORER: Any person who provides food and shelter for an animal.
   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.
   IMPOUNDED: Taken into the custody of the public animal control facility.
   LEO: Any sworn member or law enforcement officer of the Countryside police department.
   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 such dog or other animal under control.
   OWNER: Any person who: a) has a right of property in an animal, b) keeps an animal, c) has an animal in his care or custody, or d) knowingly permits an animal to remain on or about any premises occupied by him.
   PERSON: Any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, society, association or other legal entity, any public or private institution, the state of Illinois, municipal corporation or political subdivision of the state, or any other business unit.
   PHYSICAL INJURY: The impairment of physical condition.
   PROPER CONTROL: An animal shall be deemed under proper control if on the enclosed premises of its owner or on a leash and under the control of a responsible person.
   SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY: A physical injury that creates a substantial risk of death or that causes death, serious or protracted disfigurement, protracted impairment of health, impairment of the function of any bodily organ, or plastic surgery.
   VICIOUS DOG: Any individual dog:
   A.   That, when unprovoked and without justification, attacks a person or other domestic animal causing serious physical injury;
   B.   That has been found to be a "dangerous dog" upon two (2) separate occasions; and/or
   C.   Owned or harbored primarily or in part for the purpose of dogfighting or any dog trained for dogfighting. (1970 Code §§12-4.02, 12-4.03, 12-4.10, as amended; amd. Ord. 10-27-0, 5-26-2010)

 

Notes

1
1. See also section 6-3-1 of this code for animal nuisance provisions.
2
1. 510 ILCS 5/15.