The Animal Control Officer or a police officer may impound in
an animal control center unlicensed dogs four months of age or over;
unlicensed cats four months of age or over; any dog or cat found running
at large; any abandoned animal; or any animal maintained in violation
of this chapter.
A record shall be made of all impounded animals by the Animal
Control Officer and the Police Department, entering the breed, color,
and sex, whether licensed or not, if known, and the name and address
of the owner or keeper, if known. If practicable, the Animal Control
Officer shall keep licensed animals separated from unlicensed ones.
These records will be maintained for one year by the Police Department.
Immediately upon impoundment of dogs or cats wearing a current
license tag, notice shall be given to the owner, by telephone and
mail, as set forth in the license application. Such notice shall inform
the owner of the procedure to regain custody of the animal.
(A)
An animal impounded under the provisions of this article may be redeemed
by the owner within seven days after the impounding thereof, upon
the payment of fees. (See Article 8, Penalties.)
(B)
Sundays and holidays shall not be counted as "days" for the purpose
of this section. The payment of the fees provided for in this section
shall be in addition to any fines levied by the Circuit Court of Cook
County. Any redeemed cat or dog not inoculated against rabies shall
be taken forthwith by the owner to a licensed veterinarian for rabies
inoculation.
(A)
Any animal not redeemed, as provided herein, shall be destroyed in
a humane fashion unless the animal can be placed for adoption or placed
with a humane society licensed under the Animal Welfare Act of the
State of Illinois (225 ILCS 605/1 et seq.).
(B)
All dead animals not impounded shall be disposed of by the owner.
Deceased animals found on public property, streets, or parkways shall
be disposed of by the Public Works Department.
No unauthorized person shall interfere with the impounding of
or shall release any animal that has been impounded by the City.
