A. Definitions. As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms specified have the meanings ascribed to them in 510 ILCS 70/2.10.
1. Animal. “Animal” means every living creature, domestic or wild, but does not include man.
2. Companion animal. “Companion animal” means an animal that is commonly considered to be, or is considered by the owner to be, a pet. “Companion animal” includes, but is not limited to, canines, felines, and equines.
3. Companion animal hoarder. “Companion animal hoarder” means a person who (i) possesses a large number of companion animals; (ii) fails to or is unable to provide what he or she is required to provide under subsection B. of this section; (iii) keeps the companion animals in a severely overcrowded environment; and (iv) displays an inability to recognize or understand the nature of or has a reckless disregard for the conditions under which the companion animals are living and the deleterious impact they have on the companion animals' and owner's health and well-being.
B. Owner’s duties.
1. Each owner shall provide for each of his or her animals:
(i) A sufficient quantity of good quality, wholesome food and water;
(ii) Adequate shelter and protection from the weather;
(iii) Veterinary care when needed to prevent suffering;
(iv) Humane care and treatment.
2. To lawfully tether a dog outdoors, an owner must ensure that the dog:
(i) Does not suffer from a condition that is known, by that person, to be exacerbated by tethering;
(ii) Is tethered in a manner that will prevent it from becoming entangled with other tethered dogs;
(iii) Is not tethered with a lead that (a) exceeds one-eighth of the dog's body weight or (b) is a tow chain or a log chain;
(iv) Is tethered with a lead that measures, when rounded to the nearest whole foot, at least ten feet in length;
(v) Is tethered with a properly fitting harness or collar other than the lead or a pinch, prong, or choke-type collar; and
(vi) Is not tethered in a manner that will allow it to reach within the property of another person, a public walkway, or a road.
C. Subsection B. of this section shall not be construed to prohibit:
1. A person from walking a dog with a hand-held leash;
2. Conduct that is directly related to the cultivating of agricultural products, including shepherding or herding cattle or livestock, if the restraint is reasonably necessary for the safety of the dog;
3. The tethering of a dog while at an organized and lawful animal function, such as hunting, obedience training, performance and conformance events, or law enforcement training, or while in the pursuit of working or competing in those endeavors; or
4. A dog restrained in compliance with the requirements of a camping or recreational area as defined by a federal, state, or local authority or jurisdiction.
D. Penalty. The penalty for violating this section will be a fine of not less than one hundred dollars and not more than seven hundred fifty dollars. Each day shall constitute a new violation. Upon the conviction of a person for a violation of this section, the animal with regard to which the conviction was obtained, may be confiscated and placed in an approved facility.
(Ord. 2015-20, 2014).