Title
Ordinance amending the Lake County Code of Ordinances Chapter 172 - Animals.
Staff Summary
* The proposed revisions to 172.12 (B) contain requirements when the owner of a dog that has been declared animal-aggressive (when it has killed or seriously injured another owned animal) wants to give away or sell the dog or move to another jurisdiction.
o The proposed revisions would require an owner to notify Animal Care and Control prior to transferring custody of the dog so that a disposition letter can be provided to the new owner identifying the responsibilities needed to meet requirements.
o The proposed revisions would also require an owner to notify Animal Care and Control in both the jurisdiction to which he or she is moving, and the jurisdiction he or she is leaving. These revisions are modeled after similar requirements in the Illinois Animal Control Act for an owner of a dog that has been declared vicious (when it has killed or seriously injured a person).
* The proposed revisions to Section 172.15 are to discourage irresponsible breeding of dogs and cats.
* The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) licenses and regulates the breeding of dogs and cats, but only when the breeder has more than five breeding female animals.
* In chapter 172, the current pet limit restriction for residences is four dogs and four cats; however, it only applies to pets older than 6 months.
* In unincorporated Lake County, zoning and property use restrictions prohibit "regular" use of a property for breeding and selling pets, but that standard is difficult to establish and prove. Thus, the existing regulations leave a gap in regulating and discouraging irresponsible "backyard breeding."
o The proposed revisions provide enforcement authority against irresponsible breeders, specifically those that maintain and treat their animals poorly.
o The proposed revisions state that if a person is cited by an Animal Control Officer for failing to properly care for their animals ...
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