(A) Any dog or cat found running at large in violation of this chapter shall be considered a public health nuisance and shall be apprehended and impounded. Upon impounding the animal, a complete registry shall be made of the breed, color, sex, owner and address, if known, and county rabies inoculation tag numbers, if known.
(B) The Animal Control Administrator or his or her authorized agent shall cause notice of impoundment to be given in writing to the owner, if known, of the impounded animal. The notice may be served personally or be mailed to the owner, who shall have seven days after mailing of notice to redeem the animal subject to the following conditions.
(1) The owner must present proof of ownership and of current rabies inoculation, if the dog or cat is four months or more of age, to the Animal Control Administrator or his or her agent. If no proof of rabies inoculation is shown, the owner must have the animal vaccinated within five days after the animal is removed from the pound and shall furnish to the Animal Control Administrator proof of the vaccination within two days after the vaccination is performed. The Animal Control Administrator or his or her agent shall furnish the owner with written notice setting forth the requirements of division (B)(1) of this section as well as the provisions of the Animal Control Act, being ILCS Ch. 510, Act 5.
(2) The owner shall pay to release the animal from impoundment or apprehension, pound and release fees which are hereby fixed at:
(a) County fee: $40;
(b) Pound fee: $10 per day or part thereof; additional fee of $10 for an impounded female dog that is in heat;
(c) Rabies vaccination: $12;
(d) Registration for each altered or unaltered animal:
1. Altered (1 year): $10;
2. Unaltered (1 year): $20;
3. Altered (3 years): § 23; and
4. Unaltered (3 years): $55.
(e) Microchipping: $15.
(3) In addition, if the owner wishes to compromise his or her liability for a fine, as hereinafter provided for, the owner may pay the Animal Control Administrator or his or her authorized agent at the time an animal is released, the sum of $10 for a first infraction within 12 months; $20 for a second infraction within 12 months; and $40 for a third and subsequent infraction within 12 months. A receipt shall be issued to the owner itemizing the charges, and the Administrator or his or her agent shall keep a duplicate, permanent record of all receipts. The Animal Control Administrator or his or her authorized agent shall account to the County Clerk for all moneys received, and the Treasurer shall deposit the moneys in the Animal Control Fund.
(C) If an impounded animal is not redeemed by its owner within seven days, the animal shall be humanely put to death, offered for adoption or otherwise lawfully disposed of. This section shall not prevent humane societies from engaging in activities set forth by their charters; provided, they are not inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter and other existing laws. Any person purchasing or adopting an impounded animal must have the animal spayed or neutered as provided in § 90.086 and vaccinated against rabies as same to the Animal Control Administrator within seven days.
(Prior Code, § 90.38) (Ord. passed 1-17-1991; Ord. passed 5-16-1991; Ord. passed 11-13-1997; Ord. passed 6-21-2007; Res. passed 12-17-2015; Res. 2016-02, passed 1-21-2016)