§ 10-23. Dogs running at large; apprehension.

(a)

Any dog in the county found running at large contrary to the provisions of the Animal Control Act, or a nuisance dog as defined in this article may be apprehended. For this purpose, the administrator shall use any existing or available pound, per 510 ILCS 5/9.

(b)

When a dog has been impounded, the administrator shall cause notice of this event to be given to the owner of the dog, if that person is known. Such notice may be given by telephone, by personal service or by mail to the last known address of the owner. The notice shall advise the owner that redemption of the animal must occur no later than seven business days from the receipt of notice of impoundment of the animal. Testimony of the administrator or his/her authorized agent who mails such notice shall be evidence of the receipt of such notice by the owner of the animal.

(c)

If the owner of any dog which was impounded pursuant to this section desires to redeem the animal, redemption may be completed by doing all of the following:

(1)

Paying all applicable fees including pickup fees charged by the county and board fees charged by the holding pound and any fees for the treatment of injuries or illness to the animal.

(2)

Providing satisfactory proof to the administrator that the dog has been inoculated and purchased a rabies inoculation tag. If either inoculation or tag purchase has not been currently accomplished at such time, the dog shall be brought into full compliance with the inoculation and inoculation tag before the dog shall be released.

(d)

Prior to the fulfillment of the seven-day holding period, at the discretion of the administrator, animals severely injured, aggressive, or ill may be humanely dispatched.

(e)

Dogs not redeemed by the owner in accordance with the provisions of this article shall be humanely dispatched or offered for adoption as defined under the animal control act.

(f)

A person commits a violation of this section when he owns, possesses or harbors a dog which is at large, or is a nuisance as defined in this article. For the purposes of this paragraph, a dog is at large when it is off its custodian's premises and not under his/her control.

(Code 1979, § 4-13; Ord. No. 2002-03, 12-19-01; Ord. No. 2007-22, 11-21-07; Ord. No. 2016-15, 11-16-16)