All terms in this chapter, have the same meaning as in the Animal Control Act, 510 ILCS 5/1 et seq. The following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ADMINISTRATOR. A veterinarian licensed by the State of Illinois and appointed by Sangamon County Animal Control pursuant to the Animal Control Act.
ANIMAL. Every living creature, other than humans, which may be affected by rabies, including dogs and cats.
AT LARGE. Any animal not under restraint as defined herein.
BITE. To seize 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.
CAT. All members of the family Felidae.
CHIEF OF POLICE. The Chief of the Village Police Department.
CONFINED. Restriction of an animal at all times by the owner, or his or her agent, to an escape- proof building, house, or other enclosure away from other animals and the public.
COUNTY. Sangamon County, Illinois.
COUNTY ANIMAL CONTROL PERSONNEL. Personnel who are employed by the county to take up domestic animals and transport them to the County Pound, or take up wild animals and dispose of them in accordance with the procedures of the County Animal Control Department.
COUNTY POUND. The animal pound operated by the County Animal Control Department.
DANGEROUS DOG. 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 a dog that, without justification, bites a person and does not cause serious physical injury.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. The Department of Agriculture of the State of Illinois.
DOG. All members 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 vicious dog in conjunction with other measures that may be taken by the owner or keeper, such as tethering of the vicious dog within the enclosure. The 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 dog must be locked. A vicious dog may be allowed to move about freely within the entire residence if it is muzzled at all times.
FIGHT. A prearranged conflict between or among two or more animals, but does not include a conflict that is unorganized or accidental.
IMPOUNDED. Taken into the custody of the public animal control facility in the city, town, or county where the animal is found.
INOCULATION AGAINST RABIES. The injection, subcutaneously or otherwise, as approved by the Department of Agriculture of the canine anti-rabies vaccine approved by the Department.
LEASH. A cord, chain, rope, strap, or other such physical restraint having a tensile strength of not less than 300 pounds.
LIVESTOCK. Cattle, cows, horses, sheep, swine, goats, chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, and any other animals commonly recognized as livestock.
MUZZLE. A device constructed of strong, soft material or a metal muzzle, made in a manner which will not cause injury to the dog or interfere with its vision or respiration, but will prevent the dog from biting any person or animal.
NIP. To pinch or squeeze with teeth with no breaking of skin or tissue.
OWNER or KEEPER. A person having a right of property in an animal, who keeps or harbors such animal, who cares for or who acts as its custodian, or who knowingly permits an animal to remain on or about any premises occupied by such person.
POLICE ANIMAL. An animal owned or used by a law enforcement department or agency in the course of the department’s or agency’s work.
POLICE OFFICER. The Chief of Police of the village, or any police officer employed by the village, or any police officer from another jurisdiction operating in the village under a mutual aid agreement or under the direction of the Chief of Police of the village.
POUND or ANIMAL CONTROL FACILITY. Any facility approved by the Administrator for the purpose of enforcing the Animal Control Act and used as a shelter for seized, stray, homeless, abandoned, or unwanted dogs or other animals.
PUBLIC ENTRANCE. The entranceway of a residence or other building closest to the public street or sidewalk or one which would be reasonably perceived by the public to be the entrance to the dwelling available for public use.
REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE. A printed form prescribed by the Department for the purpose of recording pertinent information as required by the Department under this Act.
RESTRAINT.
(1) An animal is under
RESTRAINT if it is:
(a) Attached to a leash held by a responsible person;
(b) Attached to a structure or fixture in such a manner that it is unable to reach beyond the limits of the owner’s or keeper’s property and is unable to reach or molest service persons or casual visitors to the owner’s or keeper’s property using the public entrance or persons placing mail in the mailbox or delivering newspapers at the request of the owners;
(c) Enclosed in a fenced yard from which it is unable to escape without assistance from a person;
(d) On the property of its owner or keeper authorized by the owner, and under voice command; or
(e) Confined by a fence of sufficient height and security (which may be an electronic invisible fence system) to prevent it from leaving the area so encompassed.
(2) Herding of animals, and tethering of animals for grazing purposes is not
UNDER RESTRAINT as defined herein.
SERIOUS PHYSICAL INJURY. A physical injury 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.
VICIOUS DOG. A 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.
WORKING DAY. Any day when the office or public entity referred to was open for the transaction of business.
(Ord. 11-02, passed 1-4-2011)