For the purposes of this chapter, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning.
ADMINISTRATOR. A veterinarian licensed by the state, assigned to the animal control program for the county.
ANIMAL. Any animal, other than human, which may be affected by rabies.
ANIMAL CONTROL WARDEN. An employee of the county appointed by the Administrator and approved by the County Board to exercise police powers in the enforcement of this chapter.
BOARD. The County Board of Will County, Illinois.
CAT. Includes all members of the feline family.
CONFINED. Restriction of an animal at all times by the owner, his or her agent, to an escape- proof building or other enclosure away from other animals and the public.
CONTROL. Any owned animal that is either secured by a leash or lead not more than five feet in length, or within the premises of its owner, or confined within a crate or cage, or confined within a vehicle.
DANGEROUS DOG. Any individual dog which when either unmuzzled, unleashed or unattended by its owner, or a member of its owner’s family, in a vicious or terrorizing manner, approaches any person in an apparent attitude of attack upon streets, sidewalks, or any public ground or places, or on private property other than the owner.
DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR. The licensed veterinarian appointed by the Administrator and approved by the County Board, who is authorized to act on behalf of the Administrator if the Administrator is unavailable.
DIFFERENTIAL. The difference in the registration fees paid for spayed, neutered or sterilized animals and the registration fees paid for intact animals.
DOG. Includes all members of the canine family.
ESCAPE-PROOF BUILDING OR OTHER ENCLOSURE. A building or other enclosure of strength and structure to keep the confined animal away from other animals and the public.
FUR-BEARING MAMMALS AND WILD ANIMALS. Includes, but are not limited to the following specific species: arctic fox, badger, bat, beaver, bobcat, coyote, gray fox, hedgehog, mink, muskrat, opossum, prairie dog, rabbit, raccoon, red fox, river otter, striped skunks, weasel, woodchuck wolf or any animal of this type, and any wildlife cross or the offspring of a mating between a wolf or coyote and a dog.
GUARD DOG. A dog used in a commercial business or by a police department for the purpose of patrol and protection security.
GUIDE DOG. A dog trained by a recognized organization to lead the legally blind, the hearing impaired or support dogs for the physically handicapped person.
HAS BEEN BITTEN. Has been seized with the teeth or jaws, so that the person or animal seized has been nipped or gripped, or has been wounded or pierced and further includes contact of saliva with any break or abrasion of skin or mucous membrane.
HOME CONFINEMENT. The animal must be kept within the house where the owner, caretaker or harborer is residing. If outside, the animal must remain on the property of its owner and kept on a five-foot leash or monitored within a secure enclosure.
HUMANELY DISPATCHED. The painless administration of a lethal dose of an agent which shall cause the painless death of an animal as prescribed in the journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, January 15, 1993. The method shall not destroy brain tissue necessary for laboratory examination for rabies. Animals shall be handled prior to administration of the agent in a manner as to avoid undue apprehension by the animal.
IMPOUNDED. Taken into the custody of the Animal Control Department and placed in an animal shelter or veterinary hospital/clinic in the county where the animal is found under the control of the Animal Control Department.
INOCULATION AGAINST RABIES. The injection of a rabies vaccine approved by the State Department of Agriculture and administered by a licensed veterinarian in accordance with the company’s recommendations for the vaccine used.
INTACT ANIMAL. An animal that has not been spayed or neutered.
LEASH. A cord, rope strap or chain which shall be securely fastened to the collar or harness of a dog or the animal and shall be of sufficient strength to keep the dog or other animal under control.
LICENSED VETERINARIAN. A veterinarian licensed by the state in which he or she engages in the practice of veterinary medicine.
LOW-INCOME. Those persons eligible for the Food Stamp Program.
MULTIPLE ANIMAL OWNER. Any owner, keeper or harborer who has five or more dogs or cats of licensing age.
OWNER. Any person having a right of property in a dog, cat or other animal, or who keeps or harbors a dog, cat or other animal, or who has it in his or her care, or acts as its custodian, or who knowingly permits the animal to remain on or about any premises occupied by him or her.
PARCEL. Any legally recorded piece of land.
PATIENT. Any person who has been bitten by an animal.
PERSON. Any person, firm, corporation, partnership, society, association or other legal entity, any public or private institution, municipal corporation or political subdivision, or any other business unit.
POUND. Any facility approved by the Administrator for the purpose of enforcing this chapter and used as a shelter for seized, stray, homeless, abandoned or unwanted dogs or other animals.
PUBLIC OR PRIVATE NUISANCE. Any animal or animals which molests or attacks a person or a passing vehicle, attacks other animals, is found to be a dangerous animal, is found to be running at large, damages private or public property or barks, whines or howls in an excessive, continuous or untimely manner.
REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE. A printed form prescribed by Animal Control for the purpose of recording pertinent information as required under this chapter.
RUN LINE. A system of tying dog with a collar and clasp of adequate strength in a place with either a rope or chain having a tensile strength of at least 300 pounds and so located that the dog is on the owners’ private property and it is at least three feet from any public ways.
RUNNING AT LARGE. Those animals which are not under control as defined in this chapter.
SEIZE. The County Animal Control Department or any officer of the law is authorized to enter upon public or private property; for the purpose of impounding any dog, cat or other animal which has been found to be in violation of this chapter.
STRAYING. A dog or other animal not on the premises of the owner or not confined or under control as set forth in this chapter.
VICIOUS DOG.
(1) Any individual dog that when unprovoked inflicts bites or attacks a human being or other animal either on public or private property;
(2) Any individual dog with a known propensity, tendency or disposition to attack, without provocation, to cause injury or to otherwise endanger the safety of human beings or domestic animals;
(3) Any individual dog that has a trait or characteristic and a generally known reputation for viciousness, dangerousness or unprovoked attacks upon human beings or other animals, unless handled in a particular manner or with special equipment;
(4) Any individual dog which attacks a human being or domestic animal without provocation;
(5) Any individual dog which has been found to be a dangerous dog upon three separate occasions; and
(6) No dog shall be deemed vicious if it bites, attacks or menaces a trespasser on the property of its owner or harms or menaces anyone who has tormented or abused it or is a professionally trained dog for law enforcement or guard duties.
(1980 Code, § 90.01) (Res. 99-61, adopted 2-18-1999; Res. 06-122, adopted 3-16-2006; Ord. 17-231, adopted 10-19-2017)