§ 8-1. Definitions.

The following words, terms and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings ascribed to them in this section, except where the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

Animal means any vertebrate species, other than any human being.

Animal Control Act means the Animal Control Act of the State of Illinois (510 ILCS 5/1 et seq.) as supplemented and amended.

Animal control officer means any person, whether employed directly by the village or provided under a contractual agreement or otherwise, who is authorized to investigate any matter regarding the enforcement of this chapter.

Animal shelter means the place designated and maintained by the village (including any agency or other entity operating any such place under contract with the village) to provide impoundment and animal shelter services.

At large means off the premises of the owner and not under control of a responsible person by means of a leash, or on the premises of the owner and not under restraint.

Cat means any member of the feline family.

Chicken means an individual animal of the species Gallus gallus domesticus.

Coop means a structure that is designed to house hens which is enclosed on all sides with a roof, door and windows. A mobile coop or "chicken tractor" will be considered a chicken coop. Also referred to as "coop".

County animal control administrator means the person designated by the county board to administer the Animal Control Act.

Dangerous dog means any individual dog which, when either unmuzzled, unleashed, or unattended by its owner or other responsible person, in a vicious or terrorizing manner, approaches any person in an apparent attitude of attack upon any street, sidewalk or other public place, or upon any premises other than the premises of its owner.

Dog means any member of the canine family.

Dwelling unit, dwelling, single-family; dwelling, duplex. See section 46-10, Definitions, of chapter 46.

Farm animal means and includes, but is not limited to, any member (including any pygmy or miniature variety) of the bovine (cattle), equine (horse), swine (pig or hog), ovine (sheep) or caprine (goat) families, any poultry (any domesticated bird raised for show, eggs or meat, such as roosters, turkeys, geese or ducks) and any breeding rabbits.

Found means that the animal control director, any police officer or any animal control officer has conducted an investigation and made a declaration in writing that a dog is a dangerous dog or a vicious dog or that the hearing officer, upon appeal, has made a determination in writing in accordance with section 8-135.

Hearing officer means the administrative officer of the village, or any other nonlaw enforcement person designated for such purposes by the village president.

Hen means the female of the species Gallus gallus domesticus or chicken.

Leash means a cord, rope, strap or chain securely fastened to an animal by a collar or harness, and of sufficient strength to keep such animal under control.

Lot, zoning. See section 46-10, Definitions, of chapter 46.

Owner means any person who, either permanently or temporarily, has a right of ownership or any property interest in an animal, who keeps or harbors an animal, who has an animal in his care, who acts as the custodian of an animal, who exerts control over an animal, or who knowingly permits an animal to remain on or about any premises owned or occupied by any such person.

Rabies threat means that an animal has bitten a human being, has been reported to have bitten a human being or exhibits clinical signs of rabies.

Restraint means confined by means of a fence of sufficient height and security (which may be an electronic invisible fence system) to prevent an animal from leaving the area so encompassed, on a leash under the control of a responsible person, or on a leash securely fastened to an inanimate object and of a length which prevents such animal from leaving the premises of the owner.

Rooster means the male of the species Gallus gallus domesticus or chicken.

Run means an outdoor area that is enclosed on all vertical sides by fencing. The run must be attached to or must surround a chicken coop with a doorway or hatch that allows access into the space by chickens.

Vicious dog means any individual dog:

(1)

That when unprovoked inflicts bites or attacks any human being or any domestic animal on public or private property;

(2)

With a known propensity, tendency, or disposition to attack without provocation, to cause injury or to otherwise endanger the safety of any human being or any domestic animal;

(3)

That has as a trait or characteristic and a generally known reputation for viciousness, dangerousness or unprovoked attacks upon any human being or any domestic animal; or

(4)

That has been found a dangerous dog upon three or more separate occasions.

No dog shall be deemed a vicious dog solely because it is a professionally trained dog for law enforcement or guard duties, if it bites, attacks, or menaces any trespasser on the property of its owner or if it harms or menaces anyone who has tormented or abused it, and no dog shall be deemed a "vicious dog" solely because of its breed.

Yard, rear; yard, side; yard, front. See section 46-10, Definitions, of chapter 46.

(Code 1977, § 5.1.2; Ord. No. 1867, 2-11-2003; Ord. No. 2099, § 1(5.1.2), 6-12-2007; Ord. No. 2557, § 1, 12-12-2017)

State law reference

Similar definitions, 510 ILCS 5/2 et seq.