(A) It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or maintain any dog which has been found to be a vicious dog unless such dog is at all times kept in an enclosure that does not allow the animal to exit such enclosure and/or structure of its own volition. The only times a vicious dog may be allowed out of its enclosure are:
(1) It is necessary for the owner or keeper to obtain veterinary care for the vicious dog;
(2) To comply with the order of a court of competent jurisdiction, provided that the vicious dog is securely muzzled and restrained with a chain having a tensile strength of 300 pounds and not exceeding three feet in length, and shall be under the direct control and supervision of the owner and/or keeper of the vicious dog; or
(3) To remove the dog from the enclosure and to bring the dog into the principal building or structure located on the same zoning lot as the enclosure, and to thereafter return the dog from such building or structure to the enclosure, provided that the vicious dog is securely muzzled and restrained with a chain having a tensile strength of 300 pounds and not exceeding three feet in length, and shall be under the direct control and supervision of the owner and/or keeper of the vicious dog.
(4) Notwithstanding the preceding provisions of this § 90.291(A)(4), no dog that has been declared vicious by the Village of Romeoville pursuant to Chapter 90 of the Village Code of Ordinances prior to June 7, 2017 shall be subject to the requirement that it be confined to an enclosure as hereinabove provided, unless such dog shall have thereafter been newly declared to be a vicious dog in accordance with this Chapter 90.
(B) The owner shall register such dog with the village and obtain a red tag in accordance with § 90.03, and shall post signage that is clearly visible from both the front and rear property lines, which reads as follows: "BEWARE OF VICIOUS ANIMAL".
(C) The owner must notify Romeoville Animal Control within 24 hours if the animal is loose, unconfined, has attacked another animal or human being, has been removed from the village, or has died.
(D) The owner must provide proof to Romeoville Animal Control that the animal has been neutered/spayed and micro-chipped within 15 days of having been declared to be vicious, if the same have not been done already, at the owner's expense.
(E) The owner of a vicious dog must present to the village proof that the owner has obtained liability insurance in the amount of at least $1,000,000. Such insurance policy or declaration must specifically reference coverage for issues relating to the vicious dog, and that such coverage is available to pay claims arising from violations of this chapter. The insurance policy shall also contain a provision that the village will be notified by the insurance company in the event the policy is cancelled, reduced, terminated, or expired. Notwithstanding the first sentence of this § 90.291(E), the owner of a dog that has been declared vicious by the Village of Romeoville pursuant to Chapter 90 of the Village Code of Ordinances prior to June 7, 2017 shall only be required to obtain liability insurance in the amount of $100,000, but such insurance shall otherwise comply with all the requirements of this chapter, and provided further, however, that in the event that any such dog shall thereafter newly be declared by the village to be vicious pursuant to this Chapter 90, the owner of such dog shall thereafter be required to obtain liability insurance in the amount of at least $1,000,000.
(F) The owner, at his/her own expense, must attend classes in dog obedience and care offered through any approved institution, park district or licensed dog trainer, and provide proof to the village that such course has been completed.
(G) The owner shall allow unannounced inspection by Romeoville Animal Control no more than three times per year, of the premises in which the vicious dog is kept. Romeoville Animal Control will determine whether or not the enclosure is secure, that facilities exist to adequately feed, house and maintain the animal, that the location of the enclosure is not likely to endanger the peace, quiet, health, safety or comfort of persons in the vicinity of the location, and that maintenance of the animal in the location has not resulted in or is not likely to result in the animal being subjected to neglect, suffering, cruelty or abuse. The owner of a vicious dog shall retain the right to refuse inspection, and shall be so advised by the village upon the occasion of such an inspection, but in the event of a refusal of an inspection, the village shall retain the right to obtain an administrative search warrant, or to pursue other remedies in the Circuit Court for the 12th Judicial Circuit to enforce the provisions of this section requiring access for an inspection.
(H) If the owner of a vicious dog is unwilling or unable to comply with the foregoing regulations, the owner shall have the animal humanely euthanized by an animal shelter, animal control agency, or licensed veterinarian at the owner's expense.
(I) No owner or keeper of a vicious dog shall sell or give away the vicious dog or remove the dog from the corporate limits of the village.
(Ord. 17-1377, passed 6-7-17; Am. Ord. 18-1502, passed 9-19-18)