(A) The county’s Humane Society, by its duly authorized agents, employees or other personnel, shall have the authority to proceed to the scene or location of a diseased, sick or injured animal which is at large within the city after being requested to do so by any member of the general public for the purpose of capturing and transporting such animal to its duly established humane shelter, and to hold and properly maintain the animal until it is either claimed by its owner, or in the discretion of the Humane Society, otherwise properly disposed of. The Humane Society may also receive an animal brought to its shelter by members of the general public or proper governmental personnel and either keep, or in the discretion of the Humane Society, otherwise humanely dispose of such animal.
(B) Upon the capture of any diseased, sick or injured animal or taking of an animal brought to its shelter by a person or any local governmental personnel, the Humane Society personnel shall make a reasonable attempt to notify and inform the owner of the animal of the requirements and procedures for claiming ownership and regaining custody thereof.
(C) (1) When the owner of a captured or held animal is discovered or known, the animal shall be returned to the owner upon the payment of any applicable fees or upon the compliance with all other applicable procedures of the Humane Society.
(2) If the owner does not claim an animal or desires not to claim it, the Humane Society, within its discretion, may return the animal to any person desiring to assume ownership, custody or care thereof in conformance with the established requirements of the Humane Society provided that such animal has been inoculated against rabies.
(D) Upon the capture of any diseased, sick or injured animal or the taking of an animal brought to its shelter by any person or any local governmental personnel, the Humane Society shall, subject to the provisions of this hereof, confine the animal in a humane manner for a period of not less than four days. Thereafter, the Humane Society, in its discretion, may keep, release or otherwise humanely dispose of the animal consistent with the established procedures of the Humane Society as may be amended from time to time.
(E) Notwithstanding any provision of the section to the contrary, diseased or injured animals need not be retained four days, but may be humanely disposed of at any time in accordance with the Humane Euthanasia in Animal Shelters Act, 510 ILCS 72/1 et seq., if, in the discretion of the proper Humane Society personnel or authorized veterinarian, such disposition in necessary and proper for such animals.
(F) Nothing in this section requires the Humane Society to assume any of the impoundment and disposition functions of the city, the Department of Public Health and Safety or the Animal Control Officer.
(G) Nothing in this section shall inhibit the Department of Public Health and Safety or the Animal Control Officer in any way from carrying out its functions in accordance with applicable law and provisions and regulations set forth to regulate the capture, impoundment, sale and destruction of animals in accordance with this chapter.
(H) In accordance with the Humane Euthanasia in Animal Shelters Act, 510 ILCS 72/1 et seq., all animals must be scanned for a microchip prior to euthanasia.
(1994 Code, § 91.62) (Ord. 07-07, passed 11-13-2007)