For the purpose of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ABANDON. To leave an animal without demonstrated or apparent intent to recover or resume custody of the animal, to leave an animal for more than 12 hours without providing adequate food, water and shelter for the duration of the absence, or to turn out or release an animal for the purpose of causing it to be impounded, provided, however, that this definition shall not apply to feral cats.
ALTERED. An animal that has been permanently spayed or neutered.
ANIMAL. Any nonhuman mammal, bird, reptile or amphibian.
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER. The Chief of Police or such other persons as may be designated by the Chief of Police or the Village Administrator that is charged with the enforcement of this chapter.
ANIMAL SHELTER. Any public or private organization, including the organization’s officers, agents and representatives when acting in the name or on behalf of the organization, that controls, rescues, shelters or cares for, animals as all or part of the purpose of the organization.
BITE. Any cutting, wounding or tearing with the teeth, including any abrasion of the skin.
CAT. Any animal that is classified as Felis catus.
DANGEROUS DOG. A dog designated as a dangerous dog pursuant to this chapter.
DOG. Any animal that is classified as Canis lupus familiaris.
DOMESTIC ANIMAL. A dog, cat or other animal, the keeping of which is not otherwise prohibited under the terms of this chapter that has been raised or maintained in confinement or otherwise domesticated so as to live in a tame condition.
ENCLOSURE. A structure erected in conformance with the building code, that:
(1) Is designed to confine and prevent the escape of a dangerous dog and prevent the entry of children or other animals;
(2) Locks securely, and includes a secure top, sides and bottom;
(3) Has sides that embed into the ground at a depth of at least one foot and attach to the bottom of the enclosure so that the animal confined within cannot escape by digging under the sides of the enclosure;
(4) Is adequately lighted, kept in a clean and sanitary condition; and
(5) Is labeled with a predominantly displayed warning sign at each entrance that indicates that a dangerous animal is confined within.
FERAL CAT. A cat that:
(1) Is born in the wild or is the offspring of a domestic animal or a feral cat and is not socialized;
(2) Is a domestic animal that has been abandoned and is no longer socialized; or
(3) Lives on a farm.
FERAL CAT CARETAKER. A person participating in a program to trap, spay/neuter, return or release feral cats in order to help control cat overpopulation.
HEARING OFFICER. The individual(s) appointed as Hearing Officer in the village’s administrative hearing system pursuant to the code of ordinances of the village.
HUMANELY DESTROYED. The humane destruction of an animal pursuant to the humane euthanasia and animal shelters act (510 ILCS 72/1 et seq.) as amended.
IMPOUNDED. Taken into custody by the animal control officer, police officers and such other persons as may be designated by the Chief of Police or the Village Administrator as being authorized and directed to enforce the provisions of this chapter.
LEASH. A cord, rope, strap or chain that is securely fastened to the collar or harness of a dog and is sufficient to physically restrain and control the dog.
MICROCHIP. An identifying device consisting of a microchip or similar device that is humanely and permanently installed in or injected under the skin of an animal by a licensed veterinarian and is designed so that it provides, when scanned by an electronic reader, readable information as determined by the Chief of Police to allow, at a minimum, for the identification of the animal and the name, address and telephone number of the owner.
MUZZLE. A leather, wire or nylon restraint that fits over a dog’s nose and jaws and prevents it from biting and which also includes straps extending and connecting over and around the dog’s head and its neck to prevent the dog from dislodging the muzzle with its paws or otherwise.
NONRETRACTABLE LEASH. A leash that cannot be increased in length via any mechanical device or any other means.
OWNER. Any person owning, keeping, harboring, possessing, maintaining or having the care or custody of an animal, except for a feral cat caretaker temporarily harboring feral cats.
PERSON. Any person, firm, partnership, association or corporation.
POLICE DOG. Any dog owned and used by the Village Police Department or by the police department of a governmental entity in the course of its work.
RUN LINE. A securely anchored system of tying and keeping an animal in place with either a rope or chain sufficient to physically restrain and control the animal.
RUNNING AT LARGE. An animal is off the premises of its owner and not under the control of the owner (or a person acting for the owner) by means of a leash that is capable of physically restraining the movement of such animal.
SECURE FENCING. Fencing that is at least six feet in height, locked securely, has secure sides that prevent a dog from extending any portion of its body through any part of the fence and is anchored to the ground so that a dog cannot escape by digging under the fence.
SECURE TEMPORARY ENCLOSURE. A secure enclosure used for the purposes of transporting a dangerous dog and which includes a top and bottom permanently attached to the sides except for a “door” for removal of the dog. Such ENCLOSURE must be of such material, and such door closed and secured in such a manner, that the dangerous dog cannot exit the enclosure on its own.
SERVICE DOG. Any guide dog, signal dog or other dog trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including, without limitation, guiding individuals with impaired vision, alerting individuals with impaired hearing to sounds, and pulling a wheelchair or fetching dropped items for individuals with mobility impairments.
(Ord. 4154, passed 4-30-2012)