A. Title: This Ordinance shall be known and cited as "An Article Regulating Animal Control for McHenry County, Illinois."
B. Policy and purpose: The purpose of this Ordinance is to provide protection for the people of McHenry County, to ensure their health, safety, and welfare, and to provide harmonious relationships between people and animals by:
1. Protecting the residents of McHenry County from rabies by specifying such preventive and control measures deemed necessary;
2. Providing security to residents from annoyance, intimidation and injury from dogs and other animals;
3. Protecting animals from improper use, abuse, neglect, inhumane treatment and health hazards;
4. Encouraging responsible pet ownership;
5. Educating the public in rabies and other animal related issues; and
6. Providing for the assessment of penalties and fines for violations, and enforcement and administration of this Ordinance.
C. Scope: This Ordinance shall include the following provisions:
1. Duties of owners to control all animals, domestic, exotic, or zoo animals, in their custody;
2. Duties of owners to vaccinate all dogs or cats four months of age and older in their custody against rabies;
3. Duties of owners to register all dogs or cats in their custody with the Department;
4. Duties of the Administrator in cases of dog and cat quarantine;
5. Provisions for impoundment or confinement of biting animals; and
6. Provisions for penalties and fines for owners who cruelly treat or neglect animals in their possession.
D. This Ordinance adopts by reference the Illinois Animal Control Act, 510 ILCS 5/1 as amended from time to time. This Ordinance references the Illinois Humane Care for Animals Act, 510 ILCS 70/1 and as amended from time to time.
E. Nothing in this Ordinance affects normal, good husbandry practices utilized by any person in the production of food, companion or work animals, or in the extermination of undesirable pests. (510 ILCS 70/13).
(Ord. O-201711-51-031, passed 11-14-2017; Ord. —, passed 3-16-2020)