Title
Proposed Revisions to Lake County Code of Ordinances Chapter 172, Animals - Mackey
Body
Revisions are proposed to Chapter 172, Animals in four primary areas.
• Revisions to various sections or items are proposed for clarity and/or precision, including:
o Throughout the Chapter, certain words are replaced by other, more applicable words or phrases, for example:
§ “inoculate” was replaced by “vaccinate”
§ “animal” and “pet” were replaced by "dog or cat” or “dog” where the requirements being stated refer only to dogs and/or cats
o Several definitions are revised, added or stricken, for example:
§ The definition of “owner” is stricken (and the definition in the State law is adopted)
§ The definition of “companion animal” is added
§ The definition of “guard animal” is stricken
§ The definition of “stray” is added
o Requirements for the vaccination and registration requirements for companion animals are clarified
o Conditions for the redemption of dogs, cats and other animals are clarified
o Provisions for the enforcement of owner’s duties and cruelty cases are clarified
o Provisions pertaining to barking or howling dogs are expanded for clarity and to facilitate more effective enforcement
• Additions or deletions are proposed to various sections, including:
o The Illinois Domestic Animals Running At Large Act is added as a referenced statute
§ The existing sections regarding impoundment, notification and forfeiture of livestock running at large are stricken as these provisions are included in that Act
o Two additional potential dispositions are added for dogs determined to be animal-aggressive that would:
§ Require the dog be kept in a fenced yard approved by the Health Officer whenever the dog is on the owner's premises, but outside the owner's residence; and
§ Require the dog to be under control by leash or lead whenever it is outside the owner's residence
o The requirement that an owner of a dog found to be animal-aggressive must pay an annual registration fee of $100 is added (it had previously been listed only in the Animal Care and Control Fees Schedule)
o A violation is added for failing to microchip a biting dog or cat within 30 days after being released from rabies confinement
o Conditions and requirements are added for the issuance of witness-based Notice of Ordinance Violation tickets
• Revisions to the sections on confinement and rabies observation of biting animals are proposed for clarity and effective enforcement, and to align with State statutes, including:
o The determination of the duration for confinement and rabies observation is clarified
o Conditions for home confinement and observation, and that an owner is responsible for any costs incurred are specified
o A requirement that a biting dog or cat must be microchipped within 30 days after being released from rabies confinement is added
o Requirements for confinement and rabies observation for cases of animal-to-animal bites, based on the types of animals involved, are added
o Certain references to requirements on owners were amended to reflect the State definition of owner
• Revisions to sections that pertain to hearings are proposed, requiring that all appeal hearings shall be before the Board of Health Hearings Committee, rather than with the Health Officer, including:
o Impoundment appeal hearings
o Appeals for the revocation of multiple pet permits
These proposed revisions were reviewed and approved by the Environmental Health Advisory Committee at their February 17, 2025 meeting. A public hearing was held on March 5, 2025, and emailed comments and minutes from the hearing are attached.
Suggested Motion
To approve the revisions to Lake County Code Chapter 172.