HomeMy WebLinkAbout96-O-24__Amending_Title_9__Chapter_4__Section_3__Regarding_Rabies_Vaccination_Requirements11/25/2024
96-O-24
AN ORDINANCE
Amending Title 9, Chapter 4 of the City Code
WHEREAS, the licensing and vaccination requirements for pets is
essential for protecting the safety of the residents of Evanston than breed restrictions;
and
WHEREAS, the Evanston City Council finds that it is in the best interest of
the City of Evanston residents to amend the City Code regarding licensing and
vaccination of animals.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
EVANSTON, COOK COUNTY, ILLINOIS:
SECTION 1: Title 9, Chapter 4, Section 3 of the Evanston City Code of
2012, as amended, is hereby further amended as follows:
9-4-3-1. - REQUIRED DUE DATE.
No person shall, without first obtaining a license therefor in writing from
the City Manager or his/her designee, own, keep, harbor or have custody of any animal
over four (4) months of age; provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall be
construed to require the owners of small cage birds, aquatic and amphibian animals,
small cage mammals rodents or nonpoisonous snakes less than three feet (3') in length,
which are kept solely as pets, to obtain such license. Such license shall be obtained on
or before the last day of February of each year, except for an animal less than four (4)
months old on that day, in which case a license shall be procured when the animal
attains that age.
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9-4-3-4. - APPLICATION; REQUIREMENTS.
At the time of making application for an animal license, the owner shall
furnish the following information and material to the City Manager or his/her designee:
(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, where inoculation is required
pursuant to Section 9-4-9-1 of this Code, issued by the county rabies inspector, his/her
deputy or a licensed veterinarian bearing proof that such inoculation shall be effective
throughout the full license period, shall be submitted to the City Manager or his/her
designee for his/her inspection If a licensed veterinarian determines that a rabies
inoculation would compromise the animal’s health, said veterinarian shall provide
written notice of such determination, which shall be submitted with the license
application in lieu of the certificate of i noculation against rabies.
(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/her designee, the dog has been adjudicated as dangerous by a court of competent
jurisdiction, or the owner has reason to believe that the dog is dangerous.
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SECTION 2: Title 9, Chapter 4, Section 9 of the Evanston City Code of
2012, as amended, is hereby further amended as follows
9-4-9. - RABIES PREVENTION
9-4-9-1. – INNOCULATION REQUIRED
All dogs and cats over the age of four months must be inoculated against
rabies. The rabies vaccine shall be licensed by the United States Department of
Agriculture and approved by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, and must be
administered by a licensed veterinarian. If a licensed veterinarian determines, in writing,
that a rabies inoculation would compromise an animal’s health, the animal shall be
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exempt from the inoculation requirement and such written determination shall be
submitted at the time of making an application for an animal license pursuant to Section
9-4-3-4 of this Code.
9-4-9-2. – PREVENTING SPREAD OF RABIES
(A) Procedure When Animal is Suspected of Having Rabies; Release
of Animal: All animals which have attacked, bitten, scratched or otherwise injured any
person so as to cause an abrasion or breaking of the skin of such person shall be
impounded for a period of not less than ten (10) days. If, however, a licensed
veterinarian or rabies inspector receives information and evidence that the animal has
been previously vaccinated in accordance with the requirements of the State of Illinois,
then said animal shall be confined either in a kennel under veterinary supervision or
said animal shall be confined in the house of the said owner and shall not be permitted
upon the public streets. If the animal's rabies vaccinations are up to date, it shall be
presented for examination and observation by a licensed veterinarian on the first and
last days of a ten (10) day period that shall commence no later than twenty four (24)
hours after the attack, bite, scratch, or other injury causing abrasion or breaking of the
victim's skin. If the animal's rabies vaccinations are not up to date, the animal shall be
impounded and kept in the care of a licensed veterinarian, at the owner's expense, for
at least ten (10) consecutive days. All reports of bites received by a veterinarian shall be
reported in writing to the rabies inspector within twenty four (24) hours after the dog or
other animal is confined and such report shall contain the owner's name, address, the
date of confinement, the breed, description, age and sex of the dog or other animal.
Upon the completion of confinement of the dog or other animal for the ten (10) day
period, the veterinarian shall notify the rabies inspector and the local health department
in writing of the final disposition of the dog or other animal. Failure to comply with the
provisions hereof shall subject the owner of such dog or animal to a fine of not less than
twenty five dollars ($25.00) nor more than five hundred dollars ($500.00) for each and
every day that said violation continues.
SECTION 3: All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith are
hereby repealed.
SECTION 4: If any provision of this Ordinance or application thereof to
any person or circumstance is held unconstitutional or otherwise invalid, such invalidity
shall not affect other provisions or applications of this Ordinance that can be given effect
without the invalid application or provision, and each invalid application of this
Ordinance is severable.
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SECTION 5: This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect after its
passage and approval.
SECTION 5: The findings and recitals contained herein are declared to
be prima facie evidence of the law of the City and shall be received in evidence as
provided by the Illinois Compiled Statutes and the courts of the State of Illinois.
Introduced: _________________, 2024
Adopted: ___________________, 202 4
Approved:
__________________________, 2024
_______________________________
Daniel Biss, Mayor
Attest:
_______________________________
Stephanie Mendoza, City Clerk
Approved as to form:
______________________________
Alexandra B. Ruggie, Corporation Counsel
December 09
December 09 December 09
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