For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER. Any person approved by the County Board or the state to perform duties to effectuate the Animal Control Act, 510 ILCS 5/1 et seq.
BITE. To seize or cut with the teeth or jaws.
CONFINEMENT STRUCTURE. A securely locked pen, kennel, or structure designed and constructed for the keeping of a vicious dog and shall be designed, constructed, and maintained in accordance with the standards set out in this subchapter. Such pen, kennel, or structure must be at least six feet in height and have secure sides and a secure top attached to the sides. All STRUCTURES used to confine registered vicious dogs must be locked with a key or combination lock when such animals are within the structure. Such STRUCTURE must have a secure bottom or floor attached to the sides of the structure or the sides of the structure must be embedded in the ground no less than two feet. All structures erected to house vicious dogs must comply with all zoning and building regulations of the village. All such STRUCTURES must be adequately lighted, ventilated, and kept in a clean and sanitary condition. All such STRUCTURES must be closer to the principal structure or residence than to the rear yard property line as measured from the nearest parts of each, or at least ten feet from rear and side yard property lines. 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.
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 a companion animal; or
(2) A dog that, without justification, bites a person and does not cause serious physical injury.
FIGHT. A prearranged conflict between two or more animals but does not include a conflict that is unorganized or accidental.
INVESTIGATING OFFICER. An animal control officer, or his, her, or their supervisor or designee, or a law enforcement officer.
K-9 PATROL DOG or POLICE DOG. A dog used by law enforcement officers for law enforcement purposes and activities.
LEASH. A cord, rope, strap, or chain which shall be securely fastened to the collar or harness of a dog and shall be of sufficient strength to keep such dog under control.
MUZZLE. A device constructed of strong, soft material or metal to prevent a dog from biting any person or animal. The MUZZLE must be made in a manner which will not cause injury to the dog or interfere with its vision or respiration.
NIP. To pinch or squeeze with teeth or jaws without breaking of skin or tissue.
OWNER. Any person having a right of property in a dog, or who keeps or harbors a dog, or who has it in his, her, or their care, or acts as its custodian, or who knowingly permits a dog to remain on any premises occupied by him, her, or them.
RUNNING AT-LARGE. The failure to confine a vicious dog as required by this subchapter or the unrestrained freedom of a dog in or upon any of the streets, alleys, sidewalks, parks, school grounds, or other public grounds within the village’s corporate limits, even when such dog is in the company of the owner or other person but is not attached to a leash or other restraining device.
VICIOUS DOG. A dog that, without justification, attacks a person or other domestic animal and causes serious physical injury or death or any individual dog that has been found to be a “dangerous dog” upon three separate occasions.
(Ord. 2010-05, passed 8-17-2010)