A. Animal Control Centers: There are hereby created animal control centers, which shall be established in such number and at such locations as may be designated by the Board. (Ord. 06-009, 6-13-2006)
B. Impoundment Of Animals:
1. Authority To Impound: It shall be the duty of the Administrator, or his or her designee(s), to impound in an approved animal control center any animal over which possession is obtained under the provisions of this chapter; furthermore, it shall be the duty of the Administrator to microchip any dog or cat impounded not already possessing a microchip for which service a fee of twenty dollars ($20.00) shall be charged to the owner or adopter and added to all other costs hereinafter designated. (Ord. 2018-022, 9-11-2018)
2. Notice Of Impoundment 1 : When any animal has been impounded in an animal control center, the supervisor shall give written notice to the owner, if known, at such owner's last known address. Testimony of the Administrator, or his or her authorized agent, who mails such notice shall be evidence of the receipt of such notice by the owner of the animal.
C. Responsibility For Impoundment Costs:
1. The owner is liable for the cost of impoundment when the animal is impounded for any of the following reasons:
a. Failure to provide sufficient quantity of good quality, wholesome food and water.
b. Failure to provide shelter sufficient for the animal to maintain its body heat and functions without drawing upon the necessary constituents of its own body.
c. Failure to provide veterinary care when needed to prevent suffering.
d. Failure to provide humane care and treatment.
e. Failure to redeem any impounded animal whose ownership can be proven by the Animal Control Department.
f. The animal is left unattended inside vehicles when the outdoor temperatures are dangerous to the animal's health.
g. The animal is captured outside of the owner's property running at large.
2. The owner of an impounded animal who fails to claim such animal within the time limits specified in subsection 4-2-13B of this chapter is responsible for all expenses incurred, when proof of ownership is established by the department.
1. The owner of any impounded animal may redeem such animal upon compliance with the following conditions:
a. Presenting proof of current registration and current inoculation of the dog or cat; or
b. Obtaining and paying for the registration and inoculation of the dog, if required; and
c. Payment for all expenses incurred during the impoundment, apprehension, or confinement.
d. Compliance with the County Zoning Ordinance.
e. Paying for any fines or fees required for violation of this chapter.
f. Paying a twenty five dollar ($25.00) public safety fine to be deposited into the County Pet Population Control Fund; the fine shall be waived if it is the animal's first impoundment and the owner has the animal spayed or neutered within fourteen (14) days.
g. The payments required for redemption under this section shall be in addition to any other penalties involved under this chapter, the Animal Control Act and the Illinois Public Health and Safety Animal Population Control Act.
2. No animal shall be released to an individual representing a rescue group unless the group has been licensed by the Illinois Department of Agriculture or incorporated as a not for profit organization.
E. Adoption Of Animals: Any person desiring to adopt an animal offered for adoption by the supervisor may do so upon meeting the requirements set forth in section 11 of the State Animal Control Act 3 .
F. Records Maintained: The supervisor shall maintain records of all animals apprehended and/or impounded. Such records shall be maintained for at least one year following disposal of each animal and shall contain at least the following information:
1. A complete description, including photograph, if available, of the animal. At a minimum, the description must include color, size, species, breed and sex of the animal and a description of any tags.
2. The manner and date of acquisition of the animal.
3. The manner and date of disposal of the animal.
4. The name and address of the person adopting or purchasing the animal.
5. A record of all fees and/or fines received in relation to the animal.
6. The reason for disposal of the animal and the manner used. (Ord. 06-009, 6-13-2006)
G. Animals Not Redeemed: When not redeemed by the owner, agent, or caretaker, a dog or cat must be scanned for a microchip. If a microchip is present, the registered owner must be notified. After contact has been made or attempted, dogs or cats deemed adoptable by the animal control facility shall be offered for adoption, or made available to a licensed humane society or rescue group. If no placement is available it shall be humanely dispatched pursuant to the Humane Euthanasia in Animal Shelters Act. Failure to fulfill the terms of the agreement shall result in seizure and impoundment of the animal and any offspring by the animal pound or shelter, and any monies which have been deposited shall be forfeited and submitted to the Pet Population Control Fund on a yearly basis. This Act shall not prevent humane societies from engaging in activities set forth by their charters; provided, they are not inconsistent with provisions of this Act and other existing laws. No animal shelter or animal control facility shall release dogs or cats to an individual representing a rescue group, unless the group has been licensed or has a foster care permit issued by the Illinois Department of Agriculture or is a representative of a not for profit out of State organization. The department may suspend or revoke the license of any animal shelter or animal control facility that fails to comply with the requirements set forth in this section or that fails to report its intake and euthanasia statistics each year. (Source: PA 92-449, eff. 1-1-2002; 93-548, eff. 8-19-2003.) (Res. 2019-017, 3-12-2019)
Notes
| 1 | 1. 510 ILCS 5/10. |
| 2 | 1. 510 ILCS 5/11. |
| 3 | 2. 510 ILCS 5/11. |