For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ADMINISTRATOR. A veterinarian licensed by the State of Illinois and appointed by the Macon County Board pursuant to the State of Illinois "Animal Control Act" as amended.
BREEDABLE FEMALES. Any dog or cat that is six months or older and is not spayed.
BREEDER PERMIT. A permit obtained from Macon County Animal Control.
CAT. All members of the family feline.
COUNTY. County of Macon.
DIRECT, EFFECTIVE, PHYSICAL CONTROL. Mechanical exercise or authority over a dog or other animal by the person in control of the animal, by means of a leash, cord, rope, strap or chain which shall be fastened to the collar or harness of the animal and of sufficient strength to control the dog or animal.
DOG. All members of the family canidae.
COMPETENT PERSON. A human being over the age of 15 years that is capable of controlling and governing the dog or cat in question.
IMPOUNDMENT. Animals taken up under the foregoing provisions hereof shall be impounded in some suitable place provided by the county by contract or otherwise.
INOCULATED AGAINST RABIES. The injection of an anti-rabies vaccine given by a licensed veterinarian.
MULTIPLE-PET LICENSE. A license obtained from Macon County Animal Control.
MULTIPLE-PET OWNER. Any person who harbors or allows more than seven dogs or cats, or any combination thereof, over four months of age on their property or in their dwelling unit.
OWN. Have a right of property in, or keep, or harbor, or act as custodian of, or have the care of, or knowingly permit, or encourage, to remain on or about premises occupied by the owning person.
OWNER. Any person having a right of property in a dog or other animal or who keeps or harbors a dog or other animal or who has it in his care, or acts as its custodian, or who knowingly permits a dog or other domestic animal to remain on or about any premise occupied by him or her.
PUBLIC SAFETY AGENCY. A functional division of a public agency which provides fire fighting, police, medical, or other emergency services.
REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE. A document or writing furnished by the Macon County Animal Control upon proper registration and upon payment of the registration fee herein imposed, unless exempt from payment of the registration fee.
REGISTRATION TOG. A tag, disk, or plate of suitable and durable material furnished by the Macon County Animal Control.
RUN AT LARGE. Suffering, permitting, or causing an animal to be at any place within the county, at any time, outside an escape-proof building or other enclosure without such animal being under direct, effective physical control of the owner thereof, or his or her agent, or a member of the immediate family of said owner.
SHELTER. A building which has four sides, a roof, floor, and bedding. The shelter shall be of sufficient size to permit such animal to stand up and turn around inside when fully grown and allow retention of body heat. The shelter shall be placed to provide shade from the sun and protection from the weather.
STRAYING. A dog or other animal not on the premises of the owner or not confined or under control by leash or other recognized control methods.
TETHER. A method of securing an animal to a stationary object.
(Ord. O-67-6-07, passed 4-9-2009)