A. Short Title: This section shall be known and cited as the COUNTRYSIDE VICIOUS AND DANGEROUS DOGS AND OTHER ANIMALS ORDINANCE.
B. Enclosure Required: It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or maintain any dog which has been found to be vicious dog or dangerous dog unless such dog is at all times kept in an enclosure. The only times that a vicious dog or dangerous dog may be allowed out of the enclosure are if it is necessary for the owner to obtain veterinary care for the dog or to comply with the order of a court of competent jurisdiction, provided that the dog is securely muzzled and restrained with a chain having a tensile strength of three hundred (300) pounds and not exceeding three feet (3') in length, and shall be under the direct control and supervision of the owner of such dog.
C. Impoundment And Destruction Of Vicious Dogs: Any dog which has been found to be a vicious dog that has been directed to be contained in an enclosure rather than being destroyed, which is not confined to an enclosure, shall be impounded by the animal control officer or LEO and shall be turned over to a licensed veterinarian for destruction by lethal injection, subject to the provisions of subsection C1 of this section:
1. If the owner, after being given written notice of the impoundment order, has not appealed the impoundment order to the circuit court of Cook County within seven (7) days from the date of impoundment, the dog may be humanely destroyed by lethal injection administered by a licensed veterinarian.
2. A dog found to be a vicious dog that is not destroyed shall not be released to the owner until the animal control officer or LEO approves an "enclosure", as defined in section 4-4-2 of this chapter.
D. Prohibited: No owner shall sell or give away such vicious dog or dangerous dog.
E. Nuisance: It is unlawful for any person to maintain a public nuisance by permitting any vicious dog or dangerous dog to leave the premises of its owner when not under control by a leash or other recognized control methods as may be otherwise provided under this section.
F. Insurance: Any owner of a vicious dog must obtain public liability insurance in the amount of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000.00).
G. Implant Of Identification Microchip: Any owner of a vicious dog must have the dog implanted with a microchip identifying the name of its owner, its owner's address and telephone number, and a statement that the dog is vicious.
H. Neutering Or Spaying Of Vicious Dogs: Any owner of a vicious dog must have the dog neutered or spayed, as the case may be.
I. Signs To Be Posted: Any owner of a vicious dog or dangerous dog must display and post in a prominent place on each entry and exit to the property in which the vicious dog or dangerous dog is housed, and on the enclosure for the vicious dog or dangerous dog, a clearly visible sign with letters not less than two inches (2") in height that states:
WARNING - CAUTION - VICIOUS DOG ON PREMISES.
J. Exempt Dogs: Sentry, guard or police owned dogs that attack or injure a person, while performing duties as trained, are exempt from this section; provided, however, that the owner of such exempt dog has previously provided the Countryside police department with the address of the premises in which such exempt dog is housed and/or maintained. To qualify for exemption under this section, each such dog shall be currently inoculated against rabies in accordance with section 8 of the Illinois animal control act. It shall be the duty of the owner of such exempt dog to notify the Countryside police department of changes of address. In the case of a sentry or guard dog, the owner shall keep the Countryside police department advised of the location where such dog will be stationed.
K. Exceptions: No dog shall be deemed vicious if it bites, attacks or menaces a trespasser on the property of its owner, or harms or menaces any person who has tormented or abused such dog or is a professionally trained dog for law enforcement or guard duties and attacks or causes injury to a person while the dog is performing its duties as trained. (Ord. 10-27-0, 5-26-2010)