For the purpose of this subchapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICER. An employee of the city, designated by the Chief of Police with the approval of the Mayor and City Council, who shall have the power and authority to issue citations for any violations of this chapter relating to the care, treatment, control or impoundment of animals.
AT LARGE. A dog is not under the direct control of the owner.
CHIEF OF POLICE. The highest ranking sworn member of the City’s Police Department and shall include police lieutenants, sergeants, corporals and any other sworn police officer designated by the Chief of Police to undertake the following duties: to coordinate activities conducted under this chapter with regulatory agencies within the State of Illinois.
DANGEROUS DOG. Any dog that, because of its aggressive nature, training or characteristic behavior, presents a risk of serious physical harm or death to human beings or other animals, or would constitute a danger to human life, physical well-being, or property if not kept under the direct control of the owner. This definition shall not apply to dogs utilized by law enforcement officers in the performance of their duties. The term DANGEROUS DOG includes any dog that according to the records of the city or any law enforcement agency:
(1) Has aggressively bitten, attacked, endangered, or inflicted severe injury on a human being on public or private property, or when unprovoked, has chased or approached a person upon the street, sidewalks, or any public or private property in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack, provided that such actions are attested to a sworn statement by one or more persons and dutifully investigated by any of the above-referenced authorities;
(2) Has more than once severely injured or killed a domestic animal while off the owner’s property; or
(3) Has been used primarily or in part for the purpose of dog fighting, or is a dog trained for dog fighting.
DIRECT CONTROL. Immediate, continuous physical control of a dog such as by means of a leash, cord, secure fence, or chain of such strength to restrain the dog and controlled by a person capable of restraining the dog, or safe and secure restraint within a vehicle. If the controlling person is at all times fully and clearly within unobstructed sight and hearing of the dog, voice control shall be considered direct control when the dog is actually participating in training or in an official showing, obedience, or field event. Direct control shall not be required of dogs actually participating in a legal sport in an authorized area or to government police dogs.
IMPOUNDMENT. The taking or picking up and confining of an animal by any police officer, animal control officer or any public officer under the provisions of the chapter.
MUZZLE. A device constructed of strong, soft material or of metal, designed to fasten over the mouth of an animal to prevent the animal from biting any person or other animal.
OWNER. Any person, partnership, corporation or other legal entity owning, harboring or keeping any animal, or in the case of a person under the age of 18, that person’s parent or legal guardian. An animal shall be deemed to be harbored if it is fed or sheltered for three or more consecutive days. This definition shall not apply to any veterinary clinic or boarding kennel.
SANITARY CONDITION. A condition of good order and cleanliness to minimize the possibility of disease transmission.
UNDER RESTRAINT. That an animal is secured by a leash, led under the control of a person physically capable of restraining the animal and obedient to that person’s commands, or securely enclosed within the real property limits of the owner’s premises.
(Ord. 20-06, passed 7-6-20)