Vicious and dangerous dogs shall be subject to regulations pursuant to and as provided in the Animal Control Act (510 ILCS 5/15 et. seq)
A. In addition to 510 ILCS 5/15 et. seq, all owners and/or keepers of any animal found to be dangerous or vicious, shall display in a prominent place of their premises a clearly visible sign which is to be purchased through Lee County Animal Control at a cost determined in the fee schedule. Any animal found to have been deemed dangerous or vicious prior to the passing of this ordinance shall also be required to purchase a sign. Sign(s) are required to be purchased initially then every three (3) years or when the sign cannot be read at a distance of fifty (50) feet. Sign(s) are required at each entrance of the home and/or all gates on a fence barrier. If the entrance to a home is within a gated fence, that entrance will be exempt from the sign requirement. Animals deemed vicious must also display a sign on the entrance to the secure enclosure.
1. Once the owner of a dog deemed dangerous no longer needs to display the sign due to moving out of the county or death of the dog, signs that are in good condition with no defects may be returned to Lee County Animal Control
B. Any dog deemed dangerous or vicious in any other state or county may not be moved into Lee County without the express, written consent of the administrator, paying the required registration fees, and purchasing the required dangerous or vicious dog sign(s).
C. Any owner of any dog deemed dangerous or vicious may not transfer, sell, or give away any dog deemed dangerous or vicious without first:
1. Contacting Lee County Animal Control a minimum of seventy-two (72) hours before such transfer would take place;
2. Providing Lee County Animal Control with the name, address, and phone number of the new owner; and
3. Lee County Animal Control serving the new owner with a dangerous or vicious dog declaration and all conditions of housing a dangerous or vicious dog being met.
D. When a dog is deemed dangerous the administrator may set forth reasonable restrictions to ensure the safety of the public including, but not limited to:
1. The dog must be muzzled when outside the confines of the residence, even if on the property of the owner.
2. The dog must be tethered when outside, even if within the confines of a fenced area.
3. The dog may not be tethered in the front yard of a home.
4. The dog must be secured while in transport while in a vehicle by a tether to a secure point within the vehicle.
E. Any dog that is declared dangerous and is found running at large contrary to 510 ILCS 5/9 or Section 5-1-7 of this chapter shall be impounded by Lee County Animal Control and the owner's rights will be relinquished.
F. Any owner of a dangerous or vicious dog who moves premises shall notify Lee County Animal Control within twenty-four (24) hours of said move.
G. Dangerous dog - The Lee County Animal Control office shall collect an additional annual registration fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) for each dog that has been declared a dangerous dog under the Illinois Animal Control Act.
H. Vicious Dog - The Lee County Animal Control office shall collect an additional annual registration fee of one hundred dollars ($100.00) for each dog that has been declared a vicious dog under the Illinois Animal Control Act.
I. Any owner of a dog deemed dangerous or vicious shall not allow rabies inoculation to lapse. Any dog deemed dangerous or vicious and who does not have a current rabies inoculation will be subject to impoundment at Lee County Animal Control.
J. Failure to comply with these requirements the Administrator shall order the dog impounded and the owner shall pay a fine of no less than one hundred dollars ($100.00) and not to exceed three hundred dollars ($300.00) fine plus impoundment fees payable to Lee County Animal Control. (Ord. 07-22-001, 7-21-2022)