HomeMy WebLinkAboutOrd 6121 02/04/2014 Amending Chapter 20 "Animals" and Appendix A, Divisions II and IIIORDINANCE NO. 6121
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING CHAPTER 20
"ANIMALS" AND APPENDIX A, DIVISIONS II AND III
OF THE VILLAGE CODE OF MOUNT PROSPECT, ILLINOIS
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OF TRUSTEES OF THE
VILLAGE OF MOUNT PROSPECT, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS:
SECTION 1: Articles I through IV of Chapter 20 "Animals" of the Mount Prospect
Village Code shall be deleted in their entirety and inserting in lieu thereof the following new
Articles I through VI as follows:
Article I
DEFINITIONS
20.101: DEFINITIONS
20.101: DEFINITIONS:
For the purpose of this chapter, whenever the following words and phrases are used, they shall
have the meanings and definitions respectively ascribed to them in this section:
ANIMAL: Any living vertebrate, domestic or wild, not including humans.
ANIMAL CONTROL CENTER: Any facility utilized for the purpose of impounding animals
pursuant to the terms of articles I and II of this chapter.
ANIMAL CONTROL OFFICIAL: The chief of police and any designated agent of the Chief who
may be enforcing the provisions of this chapter.
ANIMAL UNDER CONTROL: An animal (1) secured by a leash or tether, or (2) within the house
of its owner or another person with the consent of that person; or (3) confined within a crate or
cage; or (4) confined within a vehicle; or (5) within an area specifically approved by the animal
control official as an animal exercise run.
BITE: Seizure with the teeth or jaws of an animal so that the skin of the seized person or animal
has been pierced or broken. This also includes contact of the saliva of the biting animal with
any break or abrasion of the skin of the person.
CAT: Any live member of the classification Felis catus.
DANGEROUS ANIMAL: Any animal having been declared or designated as such in accordance
with Article IV of this chapter.
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DOG: Any live member of the classification Canis familiaris
HUMANE SOCIETY: Any not for profit corporation chartered under the laws of the state of
Illinois for the purpose of animal welfare.
IMPOUNDED: The taking of any animal into the custody of the animal control official, including
the subsequent temporary placement of such animal.
OWNER OF AN ANIMAL: For purposes of this Chapter 20, any person who: (1) has a right of
property in the animal; or (2) who keeps or harbors the animal; or (3) has the animal in his or
her care; or (4) acts as its custodian; or (5) knowingly permits an animal (including wildlife) to
remain on or about any premises occupied by him or her.
POLICE DEPARTMENT: The Mount Prospect police department.
SCRATCH: Any scraping with the claw or nail of any animal so that the skin of a person or
animal being touched has been pierced or broken.
STRAY ANIMAL: Any animal that is not: a) under control of the owner by leash or tether; or b)
supervised by the owner in a fenced yard; or c) kept within the property borders by electronic
means; or d) kept in an area such as a kennel run. Keeping an animal from being a stray
animal is not the same as "securely confined."
VACCINATION: The injection, as approved by the department of agriculture, state of Illinois, of
an anti - rabies vaccine.
VICIOUS ANIMAL: Any animal which is known to have attacked, without provocation, a person
or other domestic animal on a previous occasion.
VILLAGE: The village of Mount Prospect. (Ord. 5538, 1 -17 -2006)
Article II
GENERAL PROVISIONS
20.201: SEVERABILITY
20.202: STRAY ANIMALS PROHIBITED
20.203: REQUIRED CARE
20.204: UNLAWFUL ACTIVITY WITH RESPECT TO ANIMALS
20.205: DOGS AND CATS RABIES INOCULATION
20.206: ANIMAL BITE OR SCRATCH
20.207: SALE OR POSSESSION OF CERTAIN ANIMALS OR NUMBER
OF ANIMALS PROHIBITED
20.201: SEVERABILITY:
If any part or parts of this chapter shall be held to be unconstitutional, such unconstitutionality
shall not affect the validity of the remaining parts of this chapter. The board of trustees hereby
declares that it would have passed the remaining parts of this chapter if it had known that such
part or parts thereof would be declared unconstitutional. (Ord. 5538, 1 -17 -2006)
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20.202: STRAY ANIMALS PROHIBITED:
It shall be unlawful for any person to permit any animal to stray or to run at large upon or in any
public place.
Any stray animal in the public way or within a public place or upon private premises of any
person other than the owner may be immediately impounded by the village in accord with the
impoundment procedures set forth in article III of this chapter
This section shall not apply to any animal being used for military or law enforcement work or any
animal trained to assist persons with disabilities. (Ord. 5538, 1 -17 -2006)
20.203: REQUIRED CARE:
A. Every person owning, harboring, keeping or caring for an animal shall provide:
1. A sufficient quantity of good quality, wholesome food and water.
2. Adequate shelter and protection from the weather.
3. Veterinary care when needed to prevent suffering or transmission
of disease.
4. Humane care and treatment.
B. If the police department is made aware that an animal is severely injured or otherwise
suffering, a police officer shall have the authority to destroy the animal by the most humane
method available unless the owner intervenes and assumes full responsibility for removal and
care.
20.204: UNLAWFUL ACTIVITY WITH RESPECT TO ANIMALS:
It shall be unlawful for any person to:
A. Beat, cruelly treat, torment or otherwise abuse any animal.
B. Abandon any domesticated animal.
C. Fail to provide any animal in his or her charge or custody with proper food, water, air and
sanitary shelter. Such shelter must provide natural light or artificial illumination during
reasonable hours. It must also provide protection from the weather and have sufficient
space for the animal to stand in an upright position and lie down in such manner that no
part of its body need touch the sides of the shelter structure.
D. Leave any animal unattended in a motor vehicle, trailer or similar enclosure when the
outside temperature exceeds eighty five degrees Fahrenheit (85 0 F).
E. Keep any animal, irrespective of temperature, in such manner that the animal does not
have proper air circulation while confined in a motor vehicle, trailer, kennel, doghouse or
any type of container or structure in which an animal may be confined.
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F. Promote, stage, hold, manage, conduct or carry on any animal fight or any other type of
contest or game of a similar nature. This shall include any simulated version of such a
contest that involves baiting or inciting an animal to fight.
G. Use or permit the use of any leg hold animal trap or similar device with spring activated
jaws. Nothing in this section shall prohibit the use or setting of standard household
mouse or rat traps for the purpose of controlling mice and rats.
H. Knowingly poison or cause to be poisoned any animal. The only exception shall be upon
written permit from the Illinois department of agriculture for the purpose of controlling
transmissible diseases and only when all other methods and means have been
exhausted.
Possess any drugs used for euthanasia except by or under the direction of a licensed
veterinarian. (Ord. 5538, 1 -17 -2006)
J. Harbor or keep any animal which disturbs the peace by loud noises at any time of
the day or night. (Ord. 5538, 1 -17 -2006)
K. Allow an animal at any time to: a) molest persons or vehicles by chasing, barking or
biting; b) attack other animals; c) damage property other than the owner's. This shall be
an absolute liability prohibition. No proof of intent to permit or allow such activity shall be
required. (Ord. 5538, 1 -17 -2006)
L. Cause or permit an animal to be on any property not owned or possessed by such
person unless such person has in his or her immediate possession a receptacle for the
removal of the excrement.
M. For any owner to fail to remove excrement left by that person's dog or cat, to a proper
receptacle located on property owned or possessed by such person.
N. Keep or harbor any animal which is infected with any disease transmissible to other
animals or persons, or which is afflicted with any painful disease or injury, including
severe parasitism, without placing such animal under the care of a licensed veterinarian.
O. Ship or remove a diseased animal from the premises of its owner, except under the
supervision of the animal control official.
P. As the owner of a severely injured animal, fail to place that animal under the care of an
animal control center, humane society or veterinarian.
Q. Place or permit to be placed within the village, the body or body part of any dead or
fatally sick or injured animal. However, the owner of any dead pet weighing not more
than fifty (50) pounds may bury such animal on the owner's premises, provided that such
animal shall be placed at least three feet (3') below the surface of the soil surrounding
and adjacent to the grave. (Ord. 5538, 1 -17 -2006)
20.205: DOGS AND CATS RABIES INOCULATION:
1. Every owner of a dog or cat four (4) months or more of age shall cause such dog
or cat to be inoculated with rabies vaccine by a licensed veterinarian at such intervals as
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approved by the Illinois department of agriculture. This shall not apply to animal shelters,
animal impounding facilities and laboratory animal facilities. (Ord. 5538, 1 -17 -2006)
2. Every dog or cat, when off the property of the owner, shall wear a collar, attached
to which shall be the identification of the dog's or cat's owner, along with the tag, issued by the
Cook County department of animal and rabies control, or similar agency of another county,
evidencing the dog's or cat's rabies inoculation.
3. Every dog or cat found in the village without such collar and identification will be
deemed to be in violation of this chapter and shall be impounded as provided in this chapter.
(Ord. 5538, 1 -17 -2006)
20.206: ANIMAL BITE OR SCRATCH:
Whenever any animal bites or scratches a person, the owner of the animal shall immediately
notify the police department. The owner shall hold the animal on the owner's premises. The
animal control official, in his or her sole discretion, may cause the animal to be impounded at
the owner's expense for a period often (10) days in the manner set forth in article III. In
addition:
1. The owner shall have the animal examined immediately (not later than 24 hours)
after it has bitten or scratched a person and again at the end of the ten (10) day period of
confinement.
2. If at the end of ten (10) days a veterinarian is convinced that the animal is free
from rabies; the animal may be released from quarantine.
3. If the animal dies during the ten (10) day period, its head shall be sent to the
state department of health for examination for rabies.
4. It shall be unlawful for the owner of any animal, when notified that such animal
has bitten, scratched or otherwise attacked any person, to sell or give away such animal or to
permit or allow such animal to be taken beyond the limits of the village without the express
approval of the animal control official. (Ord. 5538, 1 -17 -2006)
20.207: SALE OR POSSESSION OF CERTAIN ANIMALS OR NUMBER OF ANIMALS
PROHIBITED:
A. No person shall:
1. Bring or cause to have brought into the village or sell, offer for sale, barter or
display living baby chicks, ducklings, goslings or other fowl which have been dyed, colored or
otherwise treated so as to impart to them an artificial color.
2. Display, sell, offer for sale, barter or give away any chicks, ducklings or goslings
as pets, except to persons who provide reasonable proof of proper brooder facilities.
3. Give away the animals set forth in 1 and 2 above as novelties or prizes.
4. Keep, maintain and /or harbor any live swine, pigs, pigeons, bees, chickens,
geese, ducks, fowl, poultry, horses or cattle within the corporate limits of the village, unless such
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keeping, maintenance and /or harboring is done pursuant to the business of providing veterinary
or animal hospital services that are in compliance with village regulations.
5. Keep, harbor or possess more than three (3) dogs, cats or combination of dogs
and cats that are more than twelve (12) weeks of age in any dwelling unit. For purposes of this
section, the term "dwelling unit" shall include all real property attached to the mailing address for
the dwelling unit. (Ord. 5538, 1 -17 -2006; amd. Ord. 5741, 6 -16 -2009; Ord. 5864, 6 -21 -2011)
6. Possess any snake, lizard or other reptile whose species is physically capable of
injuring a person by poison, constriction or a disfiguring bite.
7. Possess any lion, tiger, cougar, panther, bobcat, mountain lion, lynx, ocelot,
leopard, or any other similar feline animal; or any hybrid of any of them.
8. Possess any wolf, coyote, jackal, fox, wild dog or any hybrid of any of them.
9. Possess any bear or bison.
10. Possess any rodent weighing more than one pound, with the exception of guinea
pigs.
11. Possess any other animal which, when full grown, normally attains a weight in
excess of two hundred (200) pounds.
12. Possess any monkey (except as a bonafide service animal or as authorized by
the state of Illinois as a sanctioned pet), gorilla, chimpanzee or other similar primate.
13. Possess any dangerous animal if the owner has been found guilty of violating
section Article IV of this chapter with respect to that animal.
B. Each person who possesses, keeps or maintains any wild or non - domesticated animal,
shall upon demand of the animal control official, furnish proof of compliance with such
restrictions and /or permit requirements as may be imposed by state and /or federal law. The
animal control official is authorized to demand surrender of any animal possessed, kept or
maintained in the absence of proof of such compliance or in violation of village zoning
regulations. The village may dispose of such surrendered animal as it deems appropriate.
C. This section shall not apply to properly zoned, licensed and constructed zoos, animal
shelters, veterinary hospitals, pounds, federally licensed scientific or research laboratories or
educational or other licensed institutions.
Article III
IMPOUNDMENT
20.301: ORDER OF IMPOUNDMENT
20.302: LOCATION
20.303: NOTICE
20.304: RELEASE
20.301: ORDER OF IMPOUNDMENT:
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Impoundment: If immediate impoundment is necessary for the protection of the animal or the
public health or safety, or if a dangerous animal, as described in Article IV of this chapter, is not
kept in accordance with Article IV, the animal control official may immediately order the animal
impounded.
20.302: LOCATION:
The village may utilize an animal control center or the facilities of any humane society properly
equipped and willing to impound animals. If the animal is of a species that may be better or
more safely impounded elsewhere, the village may designate an alternate facility that is properly
equipped and willing to accept the animal.
The receiving agency shall exercise due caution for the welfare and temporary safekeeping of
any animal, in conformance with policies to be prescribed by the village.
20.303: NOTICE:
The owner of an animal impounded pursuant to this chapter, shall be notified of the
impoundment by personal service or posting of a Notice of Impoundment on the front of the
owner's residence, within two (2) working days of the impoundment. The notice of
impoundment shall inform the owner of the animal that the owner may make a written request
for a hearing to contest the impoundment.
20.304: RELEASE:
A. In all cases of impoundment, the village may hold such impounded animal in an animal
control center for five (5) days or any applicable statutory period, whichever is longer. During
the five (5) days, reasonable means shall be used to facilitate its return to the rightful owner.
This shall not apply to wild animals which are noxious by their very nature (such as wild rats and
other undomesticated rodents).
B. Except in cases of a dangerous animal, the owner of any impounded animal may, upon
presentation of reasonable documentation of ownership, at any time during visiting hours at the
animal control center, redeem such animal by paying the applicable fees and /or charges. In the
case of an unlicensed animal, the owner shall comply with the applicable license requirements.
C. The holding period shall not apply to an animal (1) whose owner has authorized the
village to dispose of the animal; or (2) in critical physical condition for which immediate death by
lethal injection shall be deemed proper for humane reasons.
D. The owner shall pay the cost for housing the animal as well as redemption fees as set
forth in appendix A, division II of this code.
E. In the event the rightful owner of an animal cannot be found, the village or the
impoundment facility may require that the person adopting such an animal pay the cost of
housing the animal.
F. A vaccination certificate and license for any animal so redeemed or adopted shall be
presented to the community development department or police department.
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G. Any animal remaining unredeemed after the prescribed holding period shall become the
property of the village for purposes of determining the appropriate manner of disposing of the
animal.
Article IV
DANGEROUS ANIMALS
20.401: POSSESSION UNLAWFUL
20.402: DECLARATION AS A DANGEROUS ANIMAL
20.403: SECURE CONFINEMENT
20.404: VACATION OF DECLARATION
20.401: POSSESSION UNLAWFUL:
It shall be unlawful for any person to have custody of, own, possess or maintain a vicious or
dangerous animal, as defined in section 20.101 of this chapter, except in accordance with this
Article IV.
20.402: DECLARATION AS A DANGEROUS ANIMAL:
An animal may be declared to be a dangerous animal by the animal control official. Notice of
such declaration shall be served in person or by posting of a notice on the front door of the
premises where the animal is kept in the Village of Mount Prospect.
20.403: SECURE CONFINEMENT:
A. A dangerous animal shall be securely confined. This shall mean confinement on the
premises of its owner inside a residence or in a five (5) sided enclosure (4 sides and a roof) that
is reasonably designed to prevent escape. If the enclosure has no floor that is secured to the
sides, then the sides of the enclosure shall be embedded into the ground no less than two feet
(2') deep to prevent escape by digging. The enclosure must be humane and provide protection
from the elements for the animal.
B. A dangerous animal may only leave the securely confined premises for the purpose of
exercise, obtaining grooming, veterinary care, upon order of a court of competent jurisdiction or
to leave the village limits in a motor vehicle.
C. Whenever a dangerous animal is beyond the premises for the reasons permitted in B
above, the animal must be:
Securely muzzled; and
2. Restrained by a chain or leash, not in excess of six feet (6') in length, connected
to a three (3) point harness; and
3. Under the immediate and constant physical restraint of an individual not less than
eighteen (18) years of age.
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D. The exercising of a dangerous animal shall be a privilege subject to revocation by the
animal control official. Such revocation shall be effective upon service of notice upon the owner
or custodian.
E. The owner of a dangerous animal shall display a sign stating "Warning - Dangerous
Animal - Keep Away!" on the exterior of any enclosure in which the animal is kept. The sign
must be visible and legible from a distance of ten feet (10').
20.404: VACATION OF DECLARATION:
Eighteen (18) months after the declaration as a dangerous animal, the declaration may be
vacated by the animal control official. This may occur only upon a showing by the owner that
the animal is no longer a dangerous animal. At a minimum, the owner must show proof that the
animal has been through a minimum of twenty -five (25) hours of remediation for aggressive
animal behavior from an agency that provides remediation training for animals exhibiting
aggressive behavior. The decision to vacate the declaration shall be within the sole discretion
of the animal control official who shall have absolute immunity from liability with respect to any
decision which he or she might make pursuant to this chapter.
Article V
APPEALS AND HEARINGS
20.501: ORDERS SUBJECT TO APPEAL
20.501: ORDERS SUBJECT TO APPEAL:
Any order or act taken to impound an animal, declare an animal a dangerous animal or to
revoke the privilege of exercising a dangerous animal is subject to appeal as follows:
A. Such an appeal must be made in writing to the animal control official, within five (5)
working days of service or posting of the notice of the citation or declaration.
B. The hearing may be before the Circuit Court of Cook County, the animal control official
or the village administrative adjudication hearing officer. The forum shall be selected at the
village's sole discretion.
C. The hearing shall be held within ten (10) working days of the request. A notice of the
hearing shall be mailed by certified mail to the owner or keeper of the animal requesting the
hearing.
D. If the animal is released to the owner after a hearing, reasonable restrictions and
conditions may be imposed for the control and maintenance of the animal. The conditions may
include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Posting a bond or other proof of ability to be responsible for future damage or
injury caused by the animal.
2. Specific requirements as to size, construction and design of a secure
confinement of the animal.
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3. Establishing the location for housing the animal, including the removal of the
animal from the village.
4. Requirements as to type and method of restraint and /or muzzling of the animal.
5. Payment of reasonable fees to recover any costs incurred by the village.
Article VI
ENFORCEMENT; PENALTIES
20.601: ENFORCEMENT
20.602: DESTROYING AN ANIMAL
20.603: PENALTIES
20.601: ENFORCEMENT:
The village shall have the authority to issue citations to any persons who violate the provisions
of this chapter.
A. A citation for violation of this chapter may be delivered to the violator personally or may
be delivered to a member of the violator's household of the age of ten (10) years or upwards, or
may be affixed to the main entrance to any building located upon the premises where the
violation occurred.
B. Nothing in this section shall be construed to abridge the power of the village to arrest
any violator and take him or her into custody. (Ord. 5538, 1 -17 -2006)
C. In addition to any other available penalties, failure to comply with the requirements of
this section may result in impoundment, as set forth in article III of this chapter.
20.602: DESTROYING AN ANIMAL:
Any member of the police department of the village is authorized to destroy any animal when
necessary for the protection of any person, animal or property.
20.603: PENALTIES:
Every person found guilty of a violation of any of the provisions of this chapter shall be punished
by a fine according to a schedule set forth in appendix A, division III of this code. If any violation
shall be of a continuing nature, a separate offense shall be deemed committed for each day of
violation. (Ord. 5538, 1 -17 -2006)
SECTION 2: Chapter 20 "Animals" under Appendix A, Division II shall be amended by
referencing Section 20.304 "Release" instead of Section 20.206 "Impoundment Procedures ".
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SECTION 3: Chapter 20 "Animals" under Appendix A, Division III shall be amended by
referencing Section 20.503 "Penalties" instead of Section 20.302 "Penalty (Enforcement) ".
SECTION 4: This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage,
approval and publi4ation in pamphlet form in the manner provided by law.
AYES: Hoefert, Korn, Matuszak, Polit, Rogers, Zadel
NAYS: None
ABSENT: None
PASSED and APPROVED this 4 th day of February, 2014
Arlene A. Juracek
Mayor
ATTEST:
M. L L rs4 Angell
Village Clerk
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