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HomeMy WebLinkAboutORDINANCES-1987-070-O-87i 3"�,�,,i+ , ti' .' v-, ,r� �� .,•.'3�: _ -. - c.. .- -' -•,_- �� *-... ` f' i 7/14/87 10/28/87 8/26/87 11/09/87 10/26/87 70-0-87 AN ORDINANCE Modifying Sections 9-4-3-2, 9-4-3-4, and 9-4-4 of the Evanston City Code and Adding a New Section 9-4-17 of the Evanston City Code Pertaining to Dangerous Dogs is WHEREAS, protection of the public and domestic animals from unprovoked attacks by dangerous dogs is in the public interest; and WHEREAS, it is further in the public interest to take steps to require that dangerous dogs be regulated and restrained in order to prevent such attacks; and WHEREAS, the population density of the City and the desire of citizens of the municipality to be free from the potential threat of attack or damage mandate that the number of dangerous dogs be strictly limited; and li WHEREAS, the City Council has determined that such i, action is reasonable and necessary for the public health, safety, and welfare; !; NOW, THEREFORE., BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF •THE CITY OF EVANSTON, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS: SECTION 1: That Section 9-4-3-2 of the City i( Code of the City of Evanston, 1979, as ;;amended, is hereby further amended to read as follows: 9-4-3-2: LIMITATION ON NUMBER OF DOGS: E(A) The occupancy of any premises by more than three (3) dogs, whether licensed or unlicensed, shall be prohibited. Said prohibition shall not include dogs less than four (4) months of age. Exempted from this �.� limitation are those commercial uses, specifically authorized elsewhere in the City Code for which occupancy by dogs is customary (such as, but not limited to kennels, pet shops and veterinarians). j' (B) The occupancy of any lot area by more than one I dangerous dog or the ownership, care, custody or It control of more than one dangerous dog shall be j! prohibited. Exempted from this limitation are veterinarians, but only to the extent necessary to render care or treatment. The terms "structure" and "lot area" shall have the same meanings as in Section 6-2-4 of this Code. SECTION 2: That Section 9-4-3-4 of the City " -1- i; �i i . e,�+s'�'` �,�.�rT3ya tx:.,.. - �i.�'�r";,;`r�;:s,;=r'.�°-,:..�•,- - :«tk:�_ .. Code of the City of Evanston, 1979, as amended, be and it is hereby further amended to read as follows: 9-4-3-4: APPLICATION; REQUIREMENTS: At the time of making application for an animal permit, the owner shall furnish the following information and material to the Finance Director: • (A) The name and address of the owner of the animal. (B) The sex and breed of the animal. (C) A certificate of inoculation against rabies issued by the County Rabies Inspector, his deputy or a licensed veterinarian bearing proof that such inoculation shall be effective throughout the full license period, shall be submitted to the Finance Director for his inspection. (D) The name and address of the issuer of the certificate of inoculation. (E) The number of other dogs, if any, occupying and/or licensed for the same premises as applicant. (F) That the dog is a dangerous dog, if, on or prior to the date of registration, the owner has been advised of that fact in writing by the Chief of Police or his designee, the dog has been adjudicated as dangerous by a court of competent jurisdiction, or the owner i has reason to believe that the dog is dangerous. SECTION 3: That Section 9-4-4 of the Evanston City Code, 1979, as amended, be and it is I • hereby further amended to read as follows: 9-4-4: LICENSE FEES: (A) General: Upon furnishing of the information required by Section 9-4-3-3 of this Chapter and a showing by any applicant for a permit that he is prepared to comply with the regulations promulgated by the Finance Director, a permit shall be issued following the payment of the applicable fee as follows: Neutered dogs and cats. .$ 4.00 Dangerous dogs ......................... 100.00 I� All other cats and non - dangerous dogs ....................... 8.00 I; • Each kennel or pet shop, covering all 'i animals kept during the year......... 60.00 i� t! Any zoological garden or animal act, covering all animals kept............ 120.00 No fee shall be required of any humane society, veterinary hospital, or Municipal animal control facility. • (B) Senior Citizens' Reduction: Notwithstanding the i requirements aforesaid, excepting those relating to 1 -2 I I� �j 1' li i4'i#r. �.e.w roa"���my y,; �'� ..��. ;';'$r �x'�'1�$:.n';i�+,:�"�+'�:.��j;:_,"fi;:��.a z:2:°.�='=q?;o t .. .. .. .. ..",w:.;.r��a"�,''> •' ;r_,t4w"°+tt �. i • • dangerous dogs, an applicant, upon presentation of proof that said applicant is beyond the age of sixty-five (65) years or is within that class of persons designated by the standards of the Department of Health, Education and Welfare as below the prevailing poverty level, such applicant shall be issued a permit for an animal upon payment of one-half (,) of the established fee for a nonneutered animal. There shall be no fee reduction for a dangerous dog. SECTION 4: That a new Section 9-4-17 of the City Code of the City of Evanston, 1979, as amended, be added to read as follows: 9-4-17: DANGEROUS DOGS: (A) As used in this Section "Dangerous Dogs" shall mean and include: 1. Any dog with a known propensity, tendency or disposition to attack unprovoked, to cause injury or to otherwise endanger the safety of human beings or domestic animals; or 2. Any dog which attacks a human being or domestic animal without provocation; or 3. Any dog which, without provocation, in a vicious or terrorizing manner approaches any person in an apparent attitude of attack, whether or not the attack is consummated or capable of being consummated. 4. Any dog owned or harbored primarily or in part for the purpose of dog fighting or any dog trained for dog fighting. 5. Any dog which has been trained as an attack dog, except such dogs which may be used by the Evanston Police Department or at its direction. 6. No dog shall be deemed dangerous solely on the grounds that it bites, attacks or menaces a trespasser on the property of its owner or harms or menaces anyone who has tormented or abused it. (B) 1. No person owning or harboring or having the care or custody of a dangerous dog shall suffer or permit such dog to go unconfined on the premises of such person._ A dangerous dog is "unconfined" as the term is used in this section if such dog is not securely confined indoors or confined in a securely enclosed and locked pen or a dog run area upon the premises of said person. Such pen or dog run area must also have sides at least six feet (6') high or a secure top. If the pen or structure has no bottom secured to the sides, or if a dog is a type which burrows, the sides must be imbedded into the ground no less than one foot (1') or to whatever depth is required to contain the dog. All structures erected to house dangerous dogs must comply with all zoning and building regulations of the City. All such structures must be of adequate size to permit the dog to move about freely, must be adequately lighted, ventilated, and -3- .,., ATT15 _.zit ji�.r r:M •x•",. '. '""..gyya'�i"',i.. ,w,.,.�:� v. ..,;.. i.:....r a�+:re,. _ ,.., .. • • kept in a clean and sanitary condition. 2. No dangerous dog may be kept on.a porch, patio, or in any part of a house or structure that would allow the dog to exit such building on its own volition. No such animal may be kept in a house or structure when the windows are open or when screen doors or screen windows are the only obstacle preventing the dog from exiting the structure. 3. All owners, keepers or harborers of dangerous dogs within the City shall within ten (10) days from the effective date of this ordinance display in a prominent place on their premises a sign easily readable by the public using the words "Beware of Dangerous Dog." In addition, a similar sign is required to be posted on the kennel or pen of such animal. The City shall issue two signs meeting the requirements of this section upon payment of the dangerous dog permit fee set forth in Section 9-4-4(A). (C) No person owning or harboring or having the care of a dangerous dog shall suffer or permit such dog to go beyond the premises of such person unless such dog is securely muzzled and restrained with a chain capable of restraining the dog and not exceeding three feet (31) in length. (D) No person shall own or harbor any dog r.or permit premises owned or controlled by him to be used for the purpose of dog fighting nor permit a dog to engage in dog fighting, or train, torment, badger, bait or use any dog for the purpose of causing or encouraging said dog to unprovoked attacks upon human beings or domestic animals. (E) No person shall possess with intent to sell, or offer for sale, breed, or buy or attempt to buy within the City any dangerous dog. (F) Any person owning cr harboring or having the care of any dangerous dog shall maintain a policy of insurance in an amount not less than One Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000.O0) insuring said person against any claim, loss, damage or injury to persons, domestic animals, or property resulting from the acts of the dangerous dog. Such person shall produce evidence of such insurance upon the request of a police officer or animal warden and shall present evidence of such insurance as a condition to obtaining a dog license. (G) In the event that a police officer or animal warden has probable cause to believe that a dangerous dog is being harbored or cared for in violation of subsections (B), (C), or (D), he or she may petition a court of competent jurisdiction to order the seizure and impoundment of the dangerous dog pending trial. In the event that a police officer or animal warden has probable cause to believe that a dangerous dog is being harbored or housed in violation of subsections (C) or (D), he or she may seize and impound the dangerous dog pending trial. (H) Penalty. ZM r 7,: :'fir `�a't'���'i7°T-�'��'N", $:�':_y«'«�a...:^rn `� �••:��':°s:�"'�*'�.;�.�'���^�!h� - "`'a. *�;..�y'`{`<;C". ,.. —" .. _ .' .- ;"; .�.a. la. Whoever violates this section, except for section (B)3, shall be fined in an amount not less than $200.00 nor more than $500.00 per charge. Whoever is found guilty of a second offense of violating this section shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor and may be imprisoned up to thirty (30) days and shall be fined $500.00, which fine shall be mandatory and shall not be suspended or remitted. Whoever is found guilty of violating this section • more than two times shall be guilty of a Class B misdemeanor and may be imprisoned for a term in excess of thirty (30) days but less than six (6) months and shall be fined $500.00, which fine shall not be suspended or remitted. A violation of section (B)3 shall cause a mandatory fine of $50.00 to be imposed on the person found guilty of such offense. lb. If the violation charged is a failure to maintain the insurance coverage required by Section 9-4-17(F), in addition to any fine or other penalty which may be imposed, the violator must present I'I satisfactory evidence of said insurance to the Court fi as a condition to returning the dog to him or her. ji Failure to present evidence of said insurance shall preclude return of the dog and shall cause the City to petition the Court for destruction of the dog and for all costs the City has incurred, or will incur, �! in connection with keeping the dog in its custody and with destroying it, 2. Any dangerous dog which attacks a human being or another domestic animal may be ordered destroyed when in the court's judgment, such dangerous dog represents a continuing threat of serious harm to human beings or other domestic animals. • 3. Any person found guilty of violating this section I� shall pay prior to release of the dog from the City's �I custody or its destruction, all expenses, including shelter, food, and veterinary expenses necessitated by the seizure cf any dog for the protection of the public, and such other expenses as may be required jfor the destruction of such dog. (I) Appeal. The owner of a dog deemed or designated by the Animal Warden, his deputies,. or by a police officer to be a dangerous dog because said dog meets at least one of the criteria in Section 9-14-7 may file a written request with the Chief of Police for review of said categorization. Said request shall include proof that the dog has a current City license and facts to support the owner's belief that the dog is not dangerous.' The Chief of Police or his designee shall render a written decision within ten working days of receipt of the request for review. The Chief or his designee may extend the review period for an additional ten working days upon good cause shown upon written notification to the owner. The review process shall be conducted in writing only. No information may be presented orally. • SECTION 5: That all sections subsequent to new Section 9-4-17 be renumbered as follows: -5- • • i 9-4-18: ANIMALS AS PRIZES 9-4-19: VIOLATION; FINE SECTION 6: All ordinances cr parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are hereby repealed. SECTION 7: This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage, approval, and publication in the manner provided by law. Introduced: q�� 1987. Adopted: 1987. Approved: 1�1,�'il� �� 1987. �� Mayor ATTEST• City Clerk Ap roved a o form: i l Corporation ounsel