Chapter 510 — ANIMALS

(510 ILCS 5/1) (from Ch. 8, par. 351) Sec. 1. This Act shall be known and may be cited as the Animal Control Act. (Source: P.A. 78-795.)

(510 ILCS 5/10) (from Ch. 8, par. 360) Sec. 10. Impoundment; redemption. When dogs or cats are apprehended and impounded, they must be scanned for the presence of a microchip and examined for other currently acceptable methods of identification, including, but not limited to, ide…

(510 ILCS 5/11) (from Ch. 8, par. 361) Sec. 11. Animal placement. When not redeemed by the owner, agent, or caretaker, a dog or cat must be scanned for a microchip. If a microchip is present, the registered owner or chip purchaser, if the purchaser was a nonprofit organization, a…

(510 ILCS 5/12) (from Ch. 8, par. 362) Sec. 12. The owner of any animal which exhibits clinical signs of rabies, whether or not the animal has been inoculated against rabies, shall immediately notify the Administrator or, if the Administrator is not a veterinarian, the Deputy Adm…

(510 ILCS 5/13) (from Ch. 8, par. 363) Sec. 13. Dog or other animal bites; observation of animal. (a) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (b) and (c) of this Section, when the Administrator or, if the Administrator is not a veterinarian, the Deputy Administrator receives …

(510 ILCS 5/14) (from Ch. 8, par. 364) Sec. 14. Whenever a case of rabies has occurred in a locality, or when the proper officials of a government unit are apprehensive of the spread of rabies, the Department shall act to prevent its spread among dogs and other animals. The Depar…

(510 ILCS 5/15) (from Ch. 8, par. 365) Sec. 15. (a) In order to have a dog deemed "vicious", the Administrator, Deputy Administrator, or law enforcement officer must give notice of the infraction that is the basis of the investigation to the owner, conduct a thorough investigatio…

(510 ILCS 5/15.1) Sec. 15.1. Dangerous dog determination. (a) After a thorough investigation including: sending, within 10 business days of the Administrator or Director becoming aware of the alleged infraction, notifications to the owner of the alleged infractions, the fact of t…

(510 ILCS 5/15.2) Sec. 15.2. Dangerous dogs; leash. It is unlawful for any person to knowingly or recklessly permit any dangerous dog to leave the premises of its owner when not under control by leash or other recognized control methods. (Source: P.A. 93-548, eff. 8-19-03.)

(510 ILCS 5/15.3) Sec. 15.3. Dangerous dog; appeal. (a) The owner of a dog found to be a dangerous dog pursuant to this Act by an Administrator may file a complaint against the Administrator in the circuit court within 35 days of receipt of notification of the determination, for …

(510 ILCS 5/15.4) Sec. 15.4. Potentially dangerous dog. A dog found running at large and unsupervised with 3 or more other dogs may be deemed a potentially dangerous dog by the animal control warden or administrator. Potentially dangerous dogs shall be spayed or neutered and micr…

(510 ILCS 5/15.5) Sec. 15.5. Reckless dog owner; complaint; penalty. (a) The Administrator, State's Attorney, Director, or any citizen may file a complaint in circuit court to determine whether a person is a reckless dog owner. If an owner is determined to be a reckless dog owner…

(510 ILCS 5/16) (from Ch. 8, par. 366) Sec. 16. Animal attacks or injuries. If a dog or other animal, without provocation, attacks, attempts to attack, or injures any person who is peaceably conducting himself or herself in any place where he or she may lawfully be, the owner of …

(510 ILCS 5/16.5) Sec. 16.5. Expenses of microchipping. A clinic for microchipping companion animals of county residents should be conducted at least once a year under the direction of the Administrator or, if the Administrator is not a veterinarian, the Deputy Administrator at t…

(510 ILCS 5/17) (from Ch. 8, par. 367) Sec. 17. For the purpose of making inspections hereunder, the Administrator, or his or her authorized representative, or any law enforcement officer may enter upon private premises, provided that the entry shall not be made into any building…

(510 ILCS 5/18) (from Ch. 8, par. 368) Sec. 18. Any owner seeing his or her livestock, poultry, or equidae being injured, wounded, or killed by a dog, not accompanied by or not under the supervision of its owner, may kill such dog. (Source: P.A. 93-548, eff. 8-19-03.)

(510 ILCS 5/18.1) (from Ch. 8, par. 368.1) Sec. 18.1. The owner or keeper of a dog is liable to a person for all damages caused by the dog pursuing, chasing, worrying, wounding, injuring, or killing any sheep, goats, cattle, horses, mules, poultry, ratites, or swine belonging to …

(510 ILCS 5/19) (from Ch. 8, par. 369) Sec. 19. Any owner having livestock, poultry, or equidae killed or injured by a dog shall, according to the provisions of this Act and upon filing claim and making proper proof, be entitled to receive reimbursement for such losses from the A…

(510 ILCS 5/2) (from Ch. 8, par. 352) Sec. 2. As used in this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms specified in the Sections following this Section and preceding Section 3 have the meanings ascribed to them in those Sections. (Source: P.A. 98-756, eff. 7-16-14.)…

(510 ILCS 5/2.01) (from Ch. 8, par. 352.01) Sec. 2.01. Administrator. "Administrator" means a veterinarian licensed by the State of Illinois and appointed pursuant to this Act, or a non-veterinarian may serve as Administrator under this Act. In the event the Administrator is not …

(510 ILCS 5/2.02) (from Ch. 8, par. 352.02) Sec. 2.02. "Animal" means every living creature, other than man, which may be affected by rabies. (Source: P.A. 93-548, eff. 8-19-03.)

(510 ILCS 5/2.03) (from Ch. 8, par. 352.03) Sec. 2.03. "Animal Control Warden" means any person appointed by the Administrator to perform the duties set forth in this Act. (Source: P.A. 93-548, eff. 8-19-03.)

(510 ILCS 5/2.03a) Sec. 2.03a. "Business day" means any day including holidays that the animal control facility is open to the public for animal reclaims. (Source: P.A. 93-548, eff. 8-19-03.)

(510 ILCS 5/2.04) (from Ch. 8, par. 352.04) Sec. 2.04. "Board" means the county board in each county, as defined by Section 5-1004 of the Counties Code. (Source: P.A. 86-1475.)

(510 ILCS 5/2.04a) Sec. 2.04a. "Cat" means Felis catus. (Source: P.A. 93-548, eff. 8-19-03; 94-639, eff. 8-22-05.)

(510 ILCS 5/2.05) (from Ch. 8, par. 352.05) Sec. 2.05. "Confined" means restriction of an animal at all times by the owner, or his agent, to an escape-proof building, house, or other enclosure away from other animals and the public. (Source: P.A. 93-548, eff. 8-19-03.)

(510 ILCS 5/2.05a) Sec. 2.05a. "Dangerous dog" means (i) any individual dog anywhere other than upon the property of the owner or custodian of the dog and unmuzzled, unleashed, or unattended by its owner or custodian that behaves in a manner that a reasonable person would believe…

(510 ILCS 5/2.06) (from Ch. 8, par. 352.06) Sec. 2.06. "Department" means the Department of Agriculture of the State of Illinois. (Source: P.A. 78-795.)

(510 ILCS 5/2.07) (from Ch. 8, par. 352.07) Sec. 2.07. Deputy Administrator. "Deputy Administrator" means a veterinarian licensed by the State of Illinois, appointed by the Administrator or the County Board. (Source: P.A. 101-295, eff. 8-9-19.)

(510 ILCS 5/2.08) (from Ch. 8, par. 352.08) Sec. 2.08. "Director" means the Director of the Department of Agriculture of the State of Illinois, or his duly appointed representative. (Source: P.A. 78-795.)

(510 ILCS 5/2.09) (from Ch. 8, par. 352.09) Sec. 2.09. "District" means a geographic area consisting of 2 or more counties in their entirety. (Source: P.A. 78-795.)

(510 ILCS 5/2.10) (from Ch. 8, par. 352.10) Sec. 2.10. "District Board" means the governing body created to act as a single unit to effectuate this Act in a District and shall consist of 3 members of the Board of each county involved. (Source: P.A. 78-795.)

(510 ILCS 5/2.11) (from Ch. 8, par. 352.11) Sec. 2.11. "Dog" means all members of the family Canidae. (Source: P.A. 78-795.)

(510 ILCS 5/2.11a) Sec. 2.11a. "Enclosure" means a fence or structure of at least 6 feet in height, forming or causing an enclosure suitable to prevent the entry of young children, and suitable to confine a vicious dog in conjunction with other measures that may be taken by the o…

(510 ILCS 5/2.11b) Sec. 2.11b. "Feral cat" means a cat that (i) is born in the wild or is the offspring of an owned or feral cat and is not socialized, (ii) is a formerly owned cat that has been abandoned and is no longer socialized, or (iii) lives on a farm. (Source: P.A. 93-548…

(510 ILCS 5/2.11c) Sec. 2.11c. Intact animal. "Intact animal" means an animal that has not been sterilized. (Source: P.A. 102-329, eff. 1-1-22.)

(510 ILCS 5/2.12) (from Ch. 8, par. 352.12) Sec. 2.12. "Has been bitten" means has been seized with the teeth or jaws so that the person or animal seized has been nipped, gripped, wounded, or pierced, and further includes contact of saliva with any break or abrasion of the skin. …

(510 ILCS 5/2.12a) Sec. 2.12a. "Impounded" means taken into the custody of the public animal control facility in the city, town, or county where the animal is found. (Source: P.A. 93-548, eff. 8-19-03.)

(510 ILCS 5/2.13) (from Ch. 8, par. 352.13) Sec. 2.13. "Inoculation against rabies" means the injection of an antirabies vaccine approved by the Department. (Source: P.A. 78-795.)

(510 ILCS 5/2.14) (from Ch. 8, par. 352.14) Sec. 2.14. "Leash" means a cord, rope, strap, or chain which shall be securely fastened to the collar or harness of a dog or other animal and shall be of sufficient strength to keep such dog or other animal under control. (Source: P.A. …

(510 ILCS 5/2.15) (from Ch. 8, par. 352.15) Sec. 2.15. "Licensed veterinarian" means a veterinarian licensed by the State in which he engages in the practice of veterinary medicine. (Source: P.A. 78-795.)

(510 ILCS 5/2.16) (from Ch. 8, par. 352.16) Sec. 2.16. Owner. "Owner" means any person having a right of property in an animal, or who keeps or harbors an animal, or who has it in his care, or acts as its custodian, or who knowingly permits a dog to remain on any premises occupie…

(510 ILCS 5/2.17) (from Ch. 8, par. 352.17) Sec. 2.17. "Person" means any individual, firm, corporation, partnership, society, association or other legal entity, any public or private institution, the State of Illinois, municipal corporation or political subdivision of the State,…

(510 ILCS 5/2.17a) Sec. 2.17a. "Peace officer" has the meaning ascribed to it in Section 2-13 of the Criminal Code of 2012. (Source: P.A. 97-1150, eff. 1-25-13.)

(510 ILCS 5/2.17b) Sec. 2.17b. "Police animal" means an animal owned or used by a law enforcement department or agency in the course of the department or agency's work. (Source: P.A. 93-548, eff. 8-19-03.)

(510 ILCS 5/2.17c) Sec. 2.17c. "Potentially dangerous dog" means a dog that is unsupervised and found running at large with 3 or more other dogs. (Source: P.A. 95-550, eff. 6-1-08.)

(510 ILCS 5/2.18) (from Ch. 8, par. 352.18) Sec. 2.18. "Pound" or "animal control facility" may be used interchangeably and mean any facility approved by the Administrator for the purpose of enforcing this Act and used as a shelter for seized, stray, homeless, abandoned, or unwan…

(510 ILCS 5/2.18a) Sec. 2.18a. "Physical injury" means the impairment of physical condition. (Source: P.A. 93-548, eff. 8-19-03.)

(510 ILCS 5/2.18b) Sec. 2.18b. Reckless dog owner. "Reckless dog owner" means a person who owns a dog that while anywhere other than upon the property of the owner, and without justification, kills another dog that results in that dog being deemed a dangerous dog under Section 15…

(510 ILCS 5/2.19) (from Ch. 8, par. 352.19) Sec. 2.19. "Registration certificate" means a printed form prescribed by the Department for the purpose of recording pertinent information as required by the Department under this Act. (Source: P.A. 78-795.)