(A) In addition to other penalties for violations of this chapter, an Animal Control Officer shall have the authority to impound an animal under the following circumstances:
(1) If the animal is a nuisance as defined in § 92.03;
(2) If the animal, whether restrained or not, has bitten or otherwise injured any person;
(3) If the animal is injured and is found on a public way; provided that any seriously injured animal that is wearing an identification tag shall be taken to a doctor of veterinary medicine; who shall contact the owner or keeper for treatment instructions and shall maintain the animal, painlessly, if possible, until instructions are received; and further provided that in such a case, the owner or keeper shall be responsible for the costs of impoundment and treatment. If the owner or keeper of an injured animal cannot be contacted, such animal shall be released to the pound;
(4) If an animal that is required to be inoculated for rabies is not wearing on its collar the required rabies inoculation tag;
(5) If a dangerous dog is running at large;
(6) If a vicious animal is not confined as required by § 92.22.
(B) An Animal Control Officer is authorized to go on private property in order to enforce this chapter or to take and impound any animal that meets the criteria in division (A); provided that no Animal Control Officer may enter a private dwelling place without a valid warrant or the consent of the occupant.
(C) Upon impoundment, the Animal Control Officer shall mail notification to the last known address of the owner or keeper thereof if the animal is wearing identification tags. The owner or keeper may redeem an impounded animal by presenting proof of current rabies inoculation and registration, if applicable, and by paying the impoundment fee required by the county and any additional charges imposed for any required inoculations and for keeping and caring for such animal while impounded.
(D) Any impounded animal that is not wearing identification tags, and has not been redeemed within three working days, shall be humanely destroyed by the pound. Any impounded animal that is wearing identification tags, and has not been redeemed within seven working days, shall be humanely destroyed by the pound.
(E) The Animal Control Officer or any other law enforcement officer may take temporary custody of a dog or cat that is a companion animal that is exposed in a manner that places the dog or cat in a life-threatening situation that may result in injury or death of the dog or cat or may result in hypothermia, hyperthermia, frostbite or similar condition. Upon taking temporary custody of the dog or cat under this division (E), the Animal Control Officer or law enforcement officer shall attempt to contact the owner of the dog or cat and shall seek emergency veterinary care for the animal as soon as available. The Animal Control Officer or law enforcement officer shall leave information of the location of the dog or cat if the owner cannot be reached. The owner of the dog or cat is responsible for any costs of providing care to the dog or cat.
(F) The Animal Control Officer or any other law enforcement officer making an arrest for an offense involving one or more companion animals under the Humane Care for Animals Act or under this chapter may lawfully take possession of some or all of the companion animals in the possession of the person arrested. The officer, after taking possession of the companion animals, must thereafter comply with Section 3.04 of the Humane Care for Animals Act (ILCS Ch. 570, Act 70, § 3.04) to authorize the impoundment of the companion animals.
(Ord. 03-10, passed 6-24-03; Am. Ord. 24-08, passed 2-27-24) Penalty, see § 92.99