(A) All dangerous dogs shall be registered with the city as a dangerous dog, and shall be further in compliance and subject to the remainder of the provisions contained herein regarding dangerous dogs. Any person having knowledge which he or she believes constitutes probable cause to believe that another is harboring, keeping, or maintaining a dangerous dog which is not registered with and licensed by the city in accordance with this subchapter shall file with the Police Department a sworn affidavit setting forth the basis on which they believe the animal to be a dangerous dog, the name and address of the owner of the dog, and a description of the dog. It is additionally expressly provided herein that in order to clarify any issue that may be raised by any person and/or entity, that a police officer of the city may be the person providing and signing a sworn affidavit pursuant to the provisions of this section.
(B) The Police Department shall, upon receipt of such affidavit, inquire of the City Comptroller to determine if the dog is currently registered. The City Comptroller shall notify the Police Department of this fact and if the dog is not registered and otherwise in compliance with this subchapter, the Police Department shall serve notice upon the owner of the alleged dangerous dog, which notice shall include the requirement that the owner shall bring the alleged dangerous dog to the Animal Control Administrator of LaSalle County or in the discretion of the Police Chief to another licensed veterinarian for inspection to determine whether this dog is a dangerous dog by definition as set forth in this subchapter.
(C) In the event that it is determined by the Animal Control Administrator of LaSalle County, or such other licensed veterinarian as was appointed by the Chief of Police to perform the inspection, that said dog is a dangerous dog as defined within this subchapter, the owner shall be cited for not having voluntarily complied with the provisions of this subchapter regarding dangerous dogs. Additionally, pending trial and/or other disposition of the citation for violation of this provision, the Chief of Police and/or such other representative as the Chief of Police may from time to time designate, may impound the dog and/or turn possession of the dog over to the LaSalle County Animal Control Administrator for appropriate action. Alternatively, in the event that the owner then demonstrates proof of compliance with the registration and other provisions herein regarding dangerous dogs, further provided that the owner pays any impoundment costs, the dog may be released by the Police Department within its discretion to the owner provided the dog has not also been alleged to be a vicious dog as defined herein. The provisions and remedies regarding vicious dogs herein are intended to be administered in addition to, and not to the exclusion of, the remedies in reference to dangerous dogs.
(D) Additional provisions that dangerous dogs shall be subject to in connection with this subchapter include the following:
(1) At the time of registration and licensing, each owner of any dangerous dog, shall provide to the City Comptroller of LaSalle, in addition to the other requirements herein in reference to all dogs and cats, proof of insurance in the amount of at least $100,000 for any acts of property damage or liability incurred related to injury inflicted by such dog. Such insurance shall name the city as co-insured solely for the purpose of notice of cancellation of the policy.
(2) Each dog licensed and registered as a dangerous dog, shall be provided by the city a current dangerous dog collar of an approved color for the purpose of identification, which collar is to be worn by the dog at all times as proof of registration. If when due to the length of the dog’s hair the collar is not visible, an approved colored lead or chain shall be used.
(3) A dangerous dog collar can be removed from a dangerous dog, solely for the purpose of grooming, or purposes of other care when the dog is secured indoors or in an enclosure as defined herein.
(4) While on the inside of a building on the owner’s property, a dangerous dog must be securely confined indoors.
(5) While on the owner’s property outside of a building, a dangerous dog must be securely confined in an appropriate enclosure as determined and defined herein.
(6) The owner of a dangerous dog, shall display a sign on said owner’s premises facing out from all sides of the premises, warning that there is a dangerous dog on the property. This sign should be visible and capable of being read from a public highway or thoroughfare, or within 20 feet of its placement. In addition, the owner shall conspicuously display a sign with a symbol warning children who cannot read of the presence of a dangerous dog.
(7) A dangerous dog may be off the owner’s premises only if it is muzzled, and restrained by a leash not exceeding 3 feet in length and under the control of an adult able bodied person. The muzzle must be made in a manner that will not cause injury to the dog, or interfere with its vision or aspiration, but must prevent it from biting any person or animal.
(Ord. 1724, passed 1-8-2001; Am. Ord. 2897, passed 9-8-2020)