§ 14-5. Impoundment and violation notice.

(a)

Unrestrained dogs and nuisance animals found running at large by officers of the police department or designated authorities shall be presumed to be in violation of this chapter and shall be subject to impoundment by the police department in a humane facility for the keeping of animals.

(b)

If, by a license tag or other means, the owner of an impounded animal can be identified, the responsible officer shall immediately upon impoundment notify the owner, in person, by telephone or certified mail.

(c)

Any owner or keeper desiring to reclaim an impounded animal shall pay the city a reclamation fee of $25.00 and obtain a release from the police department, which may be presented to the county animal control for release of the animal after payment of the fees or charges levied by the facility for maintaining the animal.

(d)

Impounded animals shall be kept at the county animal control. Any animal not reclaimed by its owner within the time established by the county animal control shall become the property of the county animal control and shall be placed for adoption in a suitable home or humanely euthanized.

(e)

The owner of an impounded animal may also be prosecuted for any violation of this chapter.

(f)

Every case in which an animal bites a person shall be promptly reported to the police department. Investigation of such bites shall be conducted by the police department and quarantine of any involved animals shall be effected in accordance with 510 ILCS 5/13.

(Code 1978, § 614.06; Ord. No. 5301-2-2001, 2-6-2001)