Title
Ordinance amending the Lake County Code of Ordinances Chapter 172 - Animals, Section 172.15 Limits on the Number of Dogs and Cats per Residence and Section 172.16 Violations.
Staff Summary
• Proposed revisions to Section 172.15 (B) Multiple Pet Permits include the codification of Application Conditions [subsections 2(b) and 2(c)], which require applicants to list the number of pets proposed to be covered under the Multiple Pet Permit, as well as proof of current rabies inoculation and registration for each pet.
• A proposed addition to Section 172.15 (B) Multiple Pet Permits (3) Inspections clarifies that the annual inspection shall include a determination of the number of pets covered under the permit.
• Additionally, it is proposed that a new section be added as Section 172.15 (B) Multiple Pet Permit (7) Revocation of Multiple Pet Permit to institute a revocation process for a Multiple Pet Permit.
• The current ordinance provisions only provide the authority to refuse to issue or renew a permit when requirements are not met. The revocation language that is included in these revisions was taken, with modifications, directly from other Prevention ordinances, ensuring alignment and consistency among our ordinances. As is the case with our other ordinances, the requirements allow for a hearing prior to a revocation being final.
• A revision to Section 172.16 Violations is proposed to authorize the issuance of a citation to a dog owner for failing to comply with dangerous, animal-aggressive or vicious restrictions, and to pursue enforcement through the Administrative Adjudication (AA) process.
• When a dog is determined to be dangerous, animal-aggressive or vicious, there are additional restrictions that are placed on the owner to control the dog to prevent future occurrences.
• The current regulations contain very limited enforcement provisions when an owner fails to comply with these restrictions and can present a great risk to the public, further enforcement tools are needed to obtain compliance.
• A revision is proposed to authorize the enforcement of any Chapter 172 provision through the AA process, not just those specified.
• The Lake County AA Ordinance allows the enforcement of any County ordinance provision through the AA process, but only if the ordinance authorizes it.
• This proposed change is in keeping with all other Health Department ordinances, which have had this provision added when being revised.
Body
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, the Lake County Health Department is authorized to enforce a local ordinance regulating the care and control of animals, and the control of the spread of rabies to protect the public’s health; and
WHEREAS, the Lake County Board incorporated the Lake County Animal Care and Control Ordinance into the Lake County Code of Ordinances at Chapter 172 on January 15, 2013; and
WHEREAS, the Lake County Health Department has proposed amendments to Chapter 172 that pertain to the regulations regarding Multiple Pet Permits and the citation of violations of assessment of fines for violations of the Chapter; and
WHEREAS, the Lake County Board of Health has approved the proposed amendments to Chapter 172 on March 28, 2018; and
WHEREAS, the Lake County Board of Health has recommended that the proposed amendments to Chapter 172 be referred to the County Board for approval; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by this County Board of Lake County, Illinois, that the amendments to the Animal Care and Control Fees Schedule herewith be approved and made a matter of Lake County law.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Lake County Clerk is hereby authorized to distribute certified copies of the amended Ordinance to the County Administrator, Comptroller, and the Executive Director of the Lake County Health Department.
DATED at Waukegan, Illinois, on April 10, 2018.