For the purpose of this Ordinance, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ALTERED ANIMAL: An animal which has been spayed or neutered by a licensed veterinarian and which has thereby been rendered incapable of reproduction.
ANIMAL: Any live vertebrate creature except man.
CATS: All members of the classification, Felidae.
COMPETENT PERSON: A person who is physically and mentally capable of managing and controlling a dog which is his/her responsibility while off the premises of the owner or keeper thereof.
DOGS: All members of the classification, Canidae.
EXOTIC ANIMAL: An animal that is not indigenous to the State of Illinois.
FIERCE, VICIOUS OR DANGEROUS DOG: Any dog is hereby declared fierce, vicious, or dangerous that, without provocation, attacks or bites humans or animals. Dogs may be deemed dangerous based on any single incident that results in injury to a person or animal.
HEN: A female domestic fowl; female Gallus gallus domesticus (chicken).
HUNTING: The act of a person possessing a weapon or being accompanied by a dog for the purpose of taking species protected by the Illinois Wildlife Code in any location such species may inhabit.
KENNEL: Any establishment engaged in the commercial business of breeding, showing, buying, selling, or boarding of dogs and cats.
OWNER: Any person or persons, firm, association, or corporation who:
(1) Has a right of property in an animal or dog.
(2) Keeps or harbors an animal or dog.
(3) Has an animal or dog in his/her care, or acts as custodian of an animal or dog.
RUNNING AT LARGE: Any dog or other animal shall be deemed to be running at large when it is off the premises of its owner or keeper and not under adequate restraint of a competent person. A dog or animal is under adequate restraint within the meaning of this ordinance if it is on its owner’s or keeper’s premises; or under the owner’s or keeper’s or other competent person’s control on a stout leash not more than eight feet in length; or at heel near a competent person and obedient to that person’s commands.
WILD ANIMAL: All naturally wild non-domesticated animals.
(Ord. 4595, 11-1-10; Amd. Ord. 5898, 5-20-24)