For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ADMINISTRATOR. The Village President. In the event the Administrator is not a veterinarian, the Administrator shall consult with a local veterinarian regarding all medical decisions.
ANIMAL. Every living creature, other than humans, which may be affected by rabies.
ANIMAL CONTROL FACILITY. Any facility licensed by the Illinois Department of Agriculture and approved by the Administrator for the purpose of enforcing this chapter and used as a shelter for seized, stray, homeless, abandoned or unwanted animals.
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER. Any person appointed by the Administrator and approved by the Village Board to perform duties as set forth in this chapter and state statutes pertaining to animals.
AT LARGE. Off the premises of the owner, and not under the control of the owner or member of his or her immediate family either by leash, cord, chain, restraint or otherwise.
BITE. Seizure of a person with the jaws or teeth of any animal capable of transmitting rabies so that the person or companion animal so seized has been wounded or pierced and further includes contact of the saliva of such animal with any break or abrasion of the skin.
BUSINESS DAY. Any day including holidays that the animal control facility is open to the public for animal reclaims.
CAT. Any member of the family Felidae.
COMPANION ANIMAL. An animal that is commonly considered to be, or is considered by the owner to be, a pet.
CONFINED. Restriction of an animal at all times by the owner or its agent, to an escapeproof building, house or other enclosure away from other animals and the public.
CONTROL or RESTRAINT. Any owned animal that is either secured by a leash or lead or under voice control by a capable or competent person or within the premises of its owner or confined within a crate or cage or confined within a vehicle or on the premises of another person with the consent of that person.
DANGEROUS DOG.
(1) Any individual dog anywhere other than upon the property of the owner or custodian of the dog and 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 companion animal; or
(2) A dog that, without justification, bites a person and does not cause serious physical injury.
DOG. Any member of the family Canidae.
ENCLOSURE. A fence or structure of at least six feet in height, forming or causing an enclosure suitable to prevent the entry of young children, and suitable to confine a dog in conjunction with other measures which may be taken by the owner or keeper, such as tethering of a dog within the enclosure. Additional measures to ensure the animal is not able to escape by digging under the fence line should be taken. If the ENCLOSURE is a room within a residence, it cannot have direct ingress from or egress to the outdoors unless it leads directly to an enclosed pen and the door must be locked. 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.
IMPOUND. Taken into the custody of the Administrator.
LEASH. A cord, rope, strap, nylon strap or chain which shall be securely fastened to the collar or harness of a dog or other animal subject to leashing under state law and shall be of sufficient strength to keep such dog or other animal under control.
LICENSED VETERINARIAN. A veterinarian licensed by the state in which he or she engages in the practice of veterinary medicine.
OWNER. Any person having a right of property in an animal or keeps or harbors an animal, or who has it in his or her care, or acts as its custodian, or who knowingly permits a dog or other animal to remain on any premises occupied by him or her for a period of seven days. OWNER does not include a feral cat caretaker who participated in a trap spay/neuter, return or release program.
PERSON. Any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, society, association or other legal entity, any public or private institution, municipal corporation or political subdivision, or any other business unit.
SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY. The impairment of a physical condition that creates a substantial risk of death or that causes death, serious disfigurement, protracted impairment of health, impairment of the function of any bodily organ, or plastic surgery.
SUPPORT DOG. A dog trained by a recognized organization to assist the handicapped.
VICIOUS DOG. Any dog that, without justification, attacks a person and causes serious physical injury or death or any individual dog that has been found to be a dangerous dog upon three separate occasions.
(Prior Code, § 5-3-2) (Ord. 2009-04, passed 9-8-2009)