For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ANIMAL. Any animal, other than humans, which may be affected by rabies.
(510 ILCS 5/2.02)
ANIMAL CONTROL WARDEN. Any person appointed by the Mayor and approved by the City Council to perform duties as assigned by the Mayor to effectuate this code.
(510 ILCS 5/2.03)
AT LARGE. Any dog shall be deemed to be AT LARGE when it is off the property of his or her owner and not under the control of a responsible person.
CAT. Any feline, regardless of age or sex.
CONFINED. Restriction of an animal at all times by the owner, or his or her agent, to an escape-proof building or other enclosure away from other animals and the public.
(510 ILCS 5/2.05)
DANGEROUS DOG. Any individual dog which when either unmuzzled, unleashed or unattended by its owner, or a member of its owner’s family, in a vicious or terrorizing manner, approaches any person in an apparent attitude of attack upon streets, sidewalks or any public grounds or places.
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. The Department of Agriculture of the state.
(510 ILCS 5/2.06)
DOG. All members of the family Canidae.
(510 ILCS 5/2.11)
HAS BEEN BITTEN. Has been seized 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.
(510 ILCS 5/2.12)
INOCULATION AGAINST RABIES. The injection of an anti-rabies vaccine approved by the Department.
(510 ILCS 5/2.13)
LEASH. A cord, rope, strap or chain which shall be securely fastened to the collar or harness of a dog or other animal and shall be of sufficient strength to keep such dog or other animal under control.
(510 ILCS 5/2.14)
LICENSED VETERINARIAN. A veterinarian licensed by the state in which he or she engages in the practice of veterinary medicine.
(510 ILCS 5/2.15)
OWNER. Any person having a right of property in an animal, or who 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 to remain on any premises occupied by him or her. OWNER does not include a feral cat caretaker participating in a trap, spay/neuter, vaccinate for rabies, and return or release program.
(510 ILCS 5/2.16)
POUND. Any facility approved by the Administrator and licensed as such by the Department of Agriculture for the purpose of enforcing this code and used as a shelter for seized, stray, homeless, abandoned or unwanted dogs or other animals.
(510 ILCS 5/2.18)
REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE. A printed form prescribed by the Department for the purpose of recording pertinent information as required by the Department under this code.
(510 ILCS 5/2.19)
RESTRAINT. A dog is under RESTRAINT within the meaning of this code if he or she is controlled by a leash, at “heel” beside a responsible person, within a vehicle being driven or parked on the streets or within the property limits of his or her owner or keeper.
SHADE. Protection from the direct rays of the sun during the months of June through September.
SHELTER. As it applies to dogs, a moisture-proof structure of suitable size to accommodate the dog and allow retention of body heat, made of durable material with a solid floor raised at least two inches from the ground and with the entrance covered by a flexible, wind-proof material. Such structure shall be provided with a sufficient quantity of suitable bedding to provide insulation and protection against cold and dampness.
UNOWNED STRAY DOG. Any dog not on the premises of the owner or keeper or under control by leash or other recognized control methods, and which does not, at that time and place, bear a current rabies inoculation tag issued pursuant to the provisions of this code, by means of which, by reference to records of current registration certificates, the Administrator or his or her deputies or assistants may determine the name and address of the owner or keeper thereof, or some other means of identification from which the Administrator or his or her deputies or assistants may directly determine the name and address of the owner or keeper thereof.
VICIOUS ANIMAL. Any animal which has previously attacked or bitten any person or which has behaved in such a manner that the person who harbors said animal knows or should reasonably know that the animal is possessed of tendencies to attack or bite persons.
WILD ANIMAL. Any live monkey or ape, raccoon, skunk, fox, snake or other reptile, leopard, panther, tiger, lion, lynx or any other animal or any bird of prey which can normally be found in the wild state.
(1999 Code, § 3-1-2)