SB2078eng 94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SB2078 Engrossed LRB094 11492 RXD 42439 b

AN ACT concerning health.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Illinois Public Health and Safety Animal Population Control Act.

Section 5. Findings. The General Assembly finds the following:

(1) Controlling the dog and cat population would have a significant benefit to the public health and safety by aiding in the prevention of dog attacks, reducing the number of dog and cat bite cases involving children, and decreasing the number of automobile accidents caused by stray dogs and cats.

(2) Increasing the number of rabies-vaccinated, owned pets in low-income areas will reduce potential threats to public health and safety from rabies.

(3) Controlling the dog and cat population will save taxpayer dollars by reducing the number of dogs and cats handled by county and municipal animal control agencies. Targeted low-cost spay or neuter programs for dogs and cats in select Illinois counties and other states have proven to save taxpayers money.

(4) This Act is established to provide a variety of means by which population control and rabies vaccinations may be financed.

Section 10. Definitions. As used in this Act:

"Director" means the Director of Public Health.

"Department" means the Department of Public Health.

"Companion animal" means any domestic dog (canis lupus familiaris) or domestic cat (felis catus).

"Fund" means the Pet Population Control Fund established in this Act.

Section 15. Income tax checkoff. Each individual income tax payer may contribute to the Pet Population Control Fund through the income tax checkoff described in Section 507EE of the Illinois Income Tax Act.

Section 20. Program established. The Department shall establish and implement an Illinois Public Health and Safety Animal Population Control Program by December 31, 2005. The purpose of this program is to reduce the population of unwanted and stray dogs and cats in Illinois by encouraging the owners of dogs and cats to have them permanently sexually sterilized and vaccinated, thereby reducing potential threats to public health and safety. The program shall begin collecting funds on January 1, 2006 and shall begin distributing funds for vaccinations or spaying and neutering operations on January 1, 2007. No dog or cat imported from another state is eligible to be sterilized or vaccinated under this program. Beginning June 30, 2007, the Director must make an annual written report relative to the progress of the program to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Governor.

Section 25. Eligibility to participate. A resident of the State who owns a dog or cat and who is eligible for the Food Stamp Program or the Disability Insurance Benefits Program shall be eligible to participate in the program at a reduced rate if the owner signs a consent form certifying that he or she is the owner of the dog or cat or is authorized by the eligible owner to present the dog or cat for the procedure. An owner must submit proof of eligibility to the Department. Upon approval, the Department shall furnish an eligible owner with an eligibility voucher to be presented to a participating veterinarian. A resident of this State who is managing a feral cat colony and who humanely traps feral cats for spaying or neutering and return is eligible to participate in the program provided the trap, sterilize, and return program is recognized by the municipality or by the county, if it is located in an unincorporated area. The sterilization shall be performed by a voluntarily participating veterinarian or veterinary student under the supervision of a veterinarian. The co-payment for the cat or dog sterilization procedure and vaccinations shall be $15.

Section 30. Veterinarian participation. Any veterinarian may participate in the program established under this Act. A veterinarian shall file with the Director an application, on which the veterinarian must supply, in addition to any other information requested by the Director, a fee schedule listing the fees charged for dog and cat sterilization, examination, and the presurgical immunizations specified in this Act in the normal course of business. The dog or cat sterilization fee may vary with the animal's weight, sex, and species. The Director shall compile the fees and establish reasonable reimbursement rates for the State.

The Director shall reimburse, to the extent funds are available, participating veterinarians for each dog or cat sterilization procedure administered. To receive this reimbursement, the veterinarian must submit a certificate approved by the Department on a form approved by the Director that must be signed by the veterinarian and the owner of the dog or cat or the feral cat caretaker. At the same time, the veterinarian must submit the eligibility voucher provided by the Department to the eligible owner. The Director shall notify all participating veterinarians if the program must be suspended for any period due to a lack of revenue and shall also notify all participating veterinarians when the program will resume. Veterinarians who voluntarily participate in this sterilization and vaccination program may decline to treat feral cats if they choose.

For all dogs and cats sterilized under this Act, the Director shall also reimburse, to the extent funds are available, participating veterinarians for (1) an examination fee and the presurgical immunization of dogs against rabies and other diseases pursuant to Department rules or (2) examination fees and the presurgical immunizations of cats against rabies and other diseases pursuant to Department rules. Reimbursement for the full cost of the covered presurgical immunizations shall be made by the Director to the participating veterinarian upon the written certification, signed by the veterinarian and the owner of the companion animal or the feral cat caretaker, that the immunization has been administered. There shall be no additional charges to the owner of a dog or cat sterilized under this Act or feral cat caretaker for examination fees or the presurgical immunizations.

Section 35. Rulemaking. The Director shall adopt rules relative to:

(1) Other immunizations covered.

(2) Format and content of all forms required under this Act.

(3) Proof of eligibility.

(4) Administration of the Fund.

(5) The percentage of fines to be allocated to education of the public concerning spaying and neutering of dogs and cats.

(6) Any other matter necessary for the administration of this Act.

Section 40. Enforcement; administrative fine. Any person who knowingly falsifies proof of eligibility for or participation in any program under this Act, knowingly furnishes any licensed veterinarian with inaccurate information concerning the ownership of a dog or cat submitted for a sterilization procedure, or violates any provision of this Act may be subject to an administrative fine not to exceed $500 for each violation.

Section 45. Pet Population Control Fund. The Pet Population Control Fund is established as a special fund in the State treasury. The moneys generated from the public safety fines collected as provided in the Animal Control Act, from Pet Friendly license plates under Section 3-653 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, from Section 507EE of the Illinois Income Tax Act, and from voluntary contributions must be kept in the Fund and shall be used only to sterilize and vaccinate dogs and cats in this State pursuant to the program, to promote the sterilization program, to educate the public about the importance of spaying and neutering, and for reasonable administrative and personnel costs related to the Fund.

Section 905. The State Finance Act is amended by changing Sections 5.568 and 8h as follows:

(30 ILCS 105/5.568)

Sec. 5.568. The Pet Population Overpopulation Control Fund.

(Source: P.A. 92-520, eff. 6-1-02; 92-651, eff. 7-11-02.)

(30 ILCS 105/8h)

Sec. 8h. Transfers to General Revenue Fund.

(a) Except as provided in subsection (b), notwithstanding any other State law to the contrary, the Governor may, through June 30, 2007, from time to time direct the State Treasurer and Comptroller to transfer a specified sum from any fund held by the State Treasurer to the General Revenue Fund in order to help defray the State's operating costs for the fiscal year. The total transfer under this Section from any fund in any fiscal year shall not exceed the lesser of (i) 8% of the revenues to be deposited into the fund during that fiscal year or (ii) an amount that leaves a remaining fund balance of 25% of the July 1 fund balance of that fiscal year. In fiscal year 2005 only, prior to calculating the July 1, 2004 final balances, the Governor may calculate and direct the State Treasurer with the Comptroller to transfer additional amounts determined by applying the formula authorized in Public Act 93-839 to the funds balances on July 1, 2003. No transfer may be made from a fund under this Section that would have the effect of reducing the available balance in the fund to an amount less than the amount remaining unexpended and unreserved from the total appropriation from that fund estimated to be expended for that fiscal year. This Section does not apply to any funds that are restricted by federal law to a specific use, to any funds in the Motor Fuel Tax Fund, the Hospital Provider Fund, the Medicaid Provider Relief Fund, or the Reviewing Court Alternative Dispute Resolution Fund, or to any funds to which subsection (f) of Section 20-40 of the Nursing and Advanced Practice Nursing Act applies. No transfers may be made under this Section from the Pet Population Control Fund. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section, for fiscal year 2004, the total transfer under this Section from the Road Fund or the State Construction Account Fund shall not exceed the lesser of (i) 5% of the revenues to be deposited into the fund during that fiscal year or (ii) 25% of the beginning balance in the fund. For fiscal year 2005 through fiscal year 2007, no amounts may be transferred under this Section from the Road Fund, the State Construction Account Fund, the Criminal Justice Information Systems Trust Fund, the Wireless Service Emergency Fund, or the Mandatory Arbitration Fund.

In determining the available balance in a fund, the Governor may include receipts, transfers into the fund, and other resources anticipated to be available in the fund in that fiscal year.

The State Treasurer and Comptroller shall transfer the amounts designated under this Section as soon as may be practicable after receiving the direction to transfer from the Governor.

(b) This Section does not apply to any fund established under the Community Senior Services and Resources Act.

(Source: P.A. 93-32, eff. 6-20-03; 93-659, eff. 2-3-04; 93-674, eff. 6-10-04; 93-714, eff. 7-12-04; 93-801, eff. 7-22-04; 93-839, eff. 7-30-04; 93-1054, eff. 11-18-04; 93-1067, eff. 1-15-05.)

Section 910. The Illinois Income Tax Act is amended by adding Section 507EE as follows:

(35 ILCS 5/507EE new)

Sec. 507EE. Pet Population Control Fund checkoff. The Department must print on its standard individual income tax form a provision indicating that if the taxpayer wishes to contribute to the Pet Population Control Fund, as established in the Illinois Public Health and Safety Animal Population Control Act, he or she may do so by stating the amount of the contribution (not less than $1) on the return and that the contribution will reduce the taxpayer's refund or increase the amount of payment to accompany the return. Failure to remit any amount of increased payment reduces the contribution accordingly. This Section does not apply to any amended return.

The Department of Revenue shall determine annually the total amount contributed to the Fund pursuant to this Section and shall notify the State Comptroller and the State Treasurer of the amount to be transferred to the Pet Population Control Fund, and upon receipt of the notification the State Comptroller shall transfer the amount.

Section 915. The Animal Control Act is amended by changing Sections 2.04a, 2.05a, 2.11a, 2.11b, 2.16, 2.19a, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 15, 15.1, and 26 and by adding Sections 2.11c, 30, and 35 as follows:

(510 ILCS 5/2.04a)

Sec. 2.04a. "Cat" means Felis catus all members of the family Felidae.

(Source: P.A. 93-548, eff. 8-19-03.)

(510 ILCS 5/2.05a)

Sec. 2.05a. "Dangerous dog" means (i) any individual dog anywhere other than upon the property of the owner or custodian of the dog and when unmuzzled, unleashed, or unattended by its owner or custodian that behaves in a manner that a reasonable person would believe poses a serious and unjustified imminent threat of serious physical injury or death to a person or a companion animal or (ii) a dog that, without justification, bites a person and does not cause serious physical injury in a public place.

(Source: P.A. 93-548, eff. 8-19-03.)

(510 ILCS 5/2.11a)

Sec. 2.11a. "Enclosure" means a fence or structure of at least 6 feet in height, forming or causing an enclosure suitable to prevent the entry of young children, and suitable to confine a vicious dog in conjunction with other measures that may be taken by the owner or keeper, such as tethering of the vicious dog within the enclosure. The enclosure shall be securely enclosed and locked and designed with secure sides, top, and bottom and shall be designed to prevent the animal from escaping from the enclosure. If the enclosure is a room within a residence, it cannot have direct ingress from or egress to the outdoors unless it leads directly to an enclosed pen and the door must be locked. A vicious dog may be allowed to move about freely within the entire residence if it is muzzled at all times.

(Source: P.A. 93-548, eff. 8-19-03.)

(510 ILCS 5/2.11b)

Sec. 2.11b. "Feral cat" means a cat that (i) is born in the wild or is the offspring of an owned or feral cat and is not socialized, or (ii) is a formerly owned cat that has been abandoned and is no longer socialized, or (iii) lives on a farm.

(Source: P.A. 93-548, eff. 8-19-03.)

(510 ILCS 5/2.11c new)

Sec. 2.11c. Intact animal. "Intact animal" means an animal that has not been spayed or neutered.

(510 ILCS 5/2.16) (from Ch. 8, par. 352.16)

Sec. 2.16. "Owner" means any person having a right of property in an animal, or who keeps or harbors an animal, or who has it in his care, or acts as its custodian, or who knowingly permits a dog to remain on any premises occupied by him or her. "Owner" does not include a feral cat caretaker participating in a trap, spay/neuter, return or release program.

(Source: P.A. 93-548, eff. 8-19-03.)

(510 ILCS 5/2.19a)

Sec. 2.19a. "Serious physical injury" means a physical injury that creates a substantial risk of death or that causes death, serious or protracted disfigurement, protracted impairment of health, impairment of the function of any bodily organ, or plastic surgery.

(Source: P.A. 93-548, eff. 8-19-03.)

(510 ILCS 5/3) (from Ch. 8, par. 353)

Sec. 3. The County Board Chairman with the consent of the County Board shall appoint an Administrator. Appointments shall be made as necessary to keep this position filled at all times. The Administrator may appoint as many Deputy Administrators and Animal Control Wardens to aid him or her as authorized by the Board. The compensation for the Administrator, Deputy Administrators, and Animal Control Wardens shall be fixed by the Board. The Administrator may be removed from office by the County Board Chairman, with the consent of the County Board.

The Board shall provide necessary personnel, training, equipment, supplies, and facilities, and shall operate pounds or contract for their operation as necessary to effectuate the program. The Board may enter into contracts or agreements with persons to assist in the operation of the program and may establish a county animal population control program.

The Board shall be empowered to utilize monies from their General Corporate Fund to effectuate the intent of this Act.

The Board is authorized by ordinance to require the registration and may require microchipping of dogs and cats. and The Board shall impose an individual dog or cat animal and litter registration fee with a minimum differential of $15 for intact dogs or cats. Ten dollars of the differential shall be placed either in a county animal population control fund or in the State's Pet Population Control Fund. If the money is placed in the county animal population control fund it shall be used to (i) spay, neuter, or sterilize adopted dogs or cats or (ii) spay or neuter dogs or cats owned by low income county residents who are eligible for the Food Stamp Program. All persons selling dogs or cats or keeping registries of dogs or cats shall cooperate and provide information to the Administrator as required by Board ordinance, including sales, number of litters, and ownership of dogs and cats. If microchips are required, the microchip number may shall serve as the county animal control registration number. All microchips shall have an operating frequency of 125 kilohertz.

In obtaining information required to implement this Act, the Department shall have power to subpoena and bring before it any person in this State and to take testimony either orally or by deposition, or both, with the same fees and mileage and in the same manner as prescribed by law for civil cases in courts of this State.

The Director shall have power to administer oaths to witnesses at any hearing which the Department is authorized by law to conduct, and any other oaths required or authorized in any Act administered by the Department.

This Section does not apply to feral cats.

(Source: P.A. 93-548, eff. 8-19-03.)

(510 ILCS 5/5) (from Ch. 8, par. 355)

Sec. 5. Duties and powers.

(a) It shall be the duty of the Administrator or the Deputy Administrator, through sterilization, humane education, rabies inoculation, stray control, impoundment, quarantine, and any other means deemed necessary, to control and prevent the spread of rabies and to exercise dog and cat overpopulation control. It shall also be the duty of the Administrator to investigate and substantiate all claims made under Section 19 of this Act.

(b) Counties may by ordinance determine the extent of the police powers that may be exercised by the Administrator, Deputy Administrators, and Animal Control Wardens, which powers shall pertain only to this Act. The Administrator, Deputy Administrators, and Animal Control Wardens may issue and serve citations and orders for violations of this Act. The Administrator, Deputy Administrators, and Animal Control Wardens may not carry weapons unless they have been specifically authorized to carry weapons by county ordinance. Animal Control Wardens, however, may use tranquilizer guns and other nonlethal weapons and equipment without specific weapons authorization.

A person authorized to carry firearms by county ordinance under this subsection must have completed the training course for peace officers prescribed in the Peace Officer Firearm Training Act. The cost of this training shall be paid by the county.

(c) The sheriff and all sheriff's deputies and municipal police officers shall cooperate with the Administrator and his or her representatives in carrying out the provisions of this Act.

(d) The Administrator and animal control wardens shall aid in the enforcement of the Humane Care for Animals Act and have the ability to impound animals and apply for security posting for violation of that Act.

(Source: P.A. 93-548, eff. 8-19-03.)

(510 ILCS 5/8) (from Ch. 8, par. 358)

Sec. 8. Every owner of a dog 4 months or more of age shall have each dog inoculated against rabies by a licensed veterinarian. Every dog shall have a second rabies vaccination within one year of the first. Terms of subsequent vaccine administration and duration of immunity must be in compliance with USDA licenses of vaccines used. Evidence of such rabies inoculation shall be entered on a certificate the form of which shall be approved by the Board and which shall contain the microchip number of the animal if it has one and which shall be signed by the licensed veterinarian administering the vaccine. Veterinarians who inoculate a dog shall procure from the County Animal Control in the county where their office is located serially numbered tags, one to be issued with each inoculation certificate. Only one dog shall be included on each certificate. The veterinarian immunizing or microchipping an animal shall provide the Administrator of the county in which the animal resides with a certificate of immunization and microchip number. The Board shall cause a rabies inoculation tag to be issued, at a fee established by the Board for each dog inoculated against rabies.

Rabies vaccine for use on animals shall be sold or distributed only to and used only by licensed veterinarians. Such rabies vaccine shall be licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture.

If a licensed veterinarian determines in writing that a rabies inoculation would compromise an animal's health, then the animal shall be exempt from the rabies shot requirement, but the owner must still be responsible for the fees.

(Source: P.A. 93-548, eff. 8-19-03.)

(510 ILCS 5/9) (from Ch. 8, par. 359)

Sec. 9. Any dog found running at large contrary to provisions of this Act may be apprehended and impounded. For this purpose, the Administrator shall utilize any existing or available animal control facility or licensed animal shelter. The dog's owner shall pay a $25 public safety fine, $20 of which shall be deposited into the Pet Population Control Fund and $5 of which shall be retained by the county or municipality. A dog found running at large contrary to the provisions of this Act a second or subsequent time must be spayed or neutered within 30 days after being reclaimed unless already spayed or neutered; failure to comply shall result in impoundment.

(Source: P.A. 93-548, eff. 8-19-03.)

(510 ILCS 5/10) (from Ch. 8, par. 360)

Sec. 10. Impoundment; redemption. When dogs or cats are apprehended and impounded by the Administrator, they must be scanned for the presence of a microchip. The Administrator shall make every reasonable attempt to contact the owner as defined by Section 2.16 as soon as possible. The Administrator shall give notice of not less than 7 business days to the owner prior to disposal of the animal. Such notice shall be mailed to the last known address of the owner. Testimony of the Administrator, or his or her authorized agent, who mails such notice shall be evidence of the receipt of such notice by the owner of the animal.

In case the owner of any impounded dog or cat desires to make redemption thereof, he or she may do so by doing on the following conditions:

a. Presenting present proof of current rabies inoculation, and registration, if applicable. , or

b. Paying pay for the rabies inoculation of the dog or cat, and registration, if applicable. , and

c. Paying pay the pound for the board of the dog or cat for the period it was impounded. ,

d. Paying pay into the Animal Control Fund an additional impoundment fee as prescribed by the Board as a penalty for the first offense and for each subsequent offense. ; and

e. Paying a $25 public safety fine to be deposited into the Pet Population Control Fund; the fine shall be waived if it is the dog's or cat's first impoundment and the owner has the animal spayed or neutered within 14 days.

f. e. Paying pay for microchipping and registration if not already done.

Animal control facilities that are open to the public 7 days per week for animal reclamation are exempt from the business day requirement.

The payments required for redemption under this Section shall be in addition to any other penalties invoked under this Act and the Illinois Public Health and Safety Animal Population Control Act. An animal control agency shall assist and share information with the Director of Public Health in the collection of public safety fines.

(Source: P.A. 93-548, eff. 8-19-03; revised 10-9-03.)

(510 ILCS 5/11) (from Ch. 8, par. 361)

Sec. 11. When not redeemed by the owner, agent, or caretaker, a dog or cat must be scanned for a microchip. If a microchip is present, the registered owner must be notified. After contact has been made or attempted, dogs or cats deemed adoptable by the animal control facility shall be offered for adoption, or made available to a licensed humane society or rescue group. If no placement is available, it that has been impounded shall be humanely dispatched pursuant to the Humane Euthanasia in Animal Shelters Act or offered for adoption. An animal pound or animal shelter shall not release any dog or cat when not redeemed by the owner unless the animal has been surgically rendered incapable of reproduction by spaying or neutering and microchipped, or the person wishing to adopt an animal prior to the surgical procedures having been performed shall have executed a written agreement promising to have such service performed, including microchipping, within a specified period of time not to exceed 30 days. Failure to fulfill the terms of the agreement shall result in seizure and impoundment of the animal and any offspring by the animal pound or shelter, and any monies which have been deposited shall be forfeited and submitted to the Pet Population Control Fund on a yearly basis. This Act shall not prevent humane societies from engaging in activities set forth by their charters; provided, they are not inconsistent with provisions of this Act and other existing laws. No animal shelter or animal control facility shall release dogs or cats to an individual representing a rescue group, unless the group has been licensed or has a foster care permit issued by the Illinois Department of Agriculture or is a representative of incorporated as a not-for-profit out-of-state organization. The Department may suspend or revoke the license of any animal shelter or animal control facility that fails to comply with the requirements set forth in this Section or that fails to report its intake and euthanasia statistics each year.

(Source: P.A. 92-449, eff. 1-1-02; 93-548, eff. 8-19-03.)

(510 ILCS 5/13) (from Ch. 8, par. 363)

Sec. 13. Dog or other animal bites; observation of animal.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this Section, when the Administrator or, if the Administrator is not a veterinarian, the Deputy Administrator receives information that any person has been bitten by an animal, the Administrator or, if the Administrator is not a veterinarian, the Deputy Administrator, or his or her authorized representative, shall have such dog or other animal confined under the observation of a licensed veterinarian for a period of 10 days. The Department may permit such confinement to be reduced to a period of less than 10 days. A veterinarian shall report the clinical condition of the animal immediately, with confirmation in writing to the Administrator or, if the Administrator is not a veterinarian, the Deputy Administrator within 24 hours after the animal is presented for examination, giving the owner's name, address, the date of confinement, the breed, description, age, and sex of the animal, and whether the animal has been spayed or neutered, on appropriate forms approved by the Department. The Administrator or, if the Administrator is not a veterinarian, the Deputy Administrator shall notify the attending physician or responsible health agency. At the end of the confinement period, the veterinarian shall submit a written report to the Administrator or, if the Administrator is not a veterinarian, the Deputy Administrator advising him or her of the final disposition of the animal on appropriate forms approved by the Department. When evidence is presented that the animal was inoculated against rabies within the time prescribed by law, it shall be confined in a house, or in a manner which will prohibit it from biting any person for a period of 10 days, if a licensed veterinarian adjudges such confinement satisfactory. The Department may permit such confinement to be reduced to a period of less than 10 days. At the end of the confinement period, the animal shall be examined by a licensed veterinarian.

Any person having knowledge that any person has been bitten by an animal shall notify the Administrator or, if the Administrator is not a veterinarian, the Deputy Administrator promptly. It is unlawful for the owner of the animal to euthanize, sell, give away, or otherwise dispose of any animal known to have bitten a person, until it is released by the Administrator or, if the Administrator is not a veterinarian, the Deputy Administrator, or his or her authorized representative. It is unlawful for the owner of the animal to refuse or fail to comply with the reasonable written or printed instructions made by the Administrator or, if the Administrator is not a veterinarian, the Deputy Administrator, or his authorized representative. If such instructions cannot be delivered in person, they shall be mailed to the owner of the animal by regular mail. Any expense incurred in the handling of an animal under this Section and Section 12 shall be borne by the owner. The owner of a biting animal must also remit to the Department of Public Health, for deposit into the Pet Population Control Fund, a $25 public safety fine within 30 days after notice.

(b) When a person has been bitten by a police dog that is currently vaccinated against rabies, the police dog may continue to perform its duties for the peace officer or law enforcement agency and any period of observation of the police dog may be under the supervision of a peace officer. The supervision shall consist of the dog being locked in a kennel, performing its official duties in a police vehicle, or remaining under the constant supervision of its police handler.

(Source: P.A. 93-548, eff. 8-19-03.)

(510 ILCS 5/15) (from Ch. 8, par. 365)

Sec. 15. (a) In order to have a dog deemed "vicious", the Administrator, Deputy Administrator, animal control warden, or law enforcement officer must give notice of the infraction that is the basis of the investigation to the owner, conduct a thorough investigation, interview any witnesses, including the owner, gather any existing medical records, veterinary medical records or behavioral evidence, and make a detailed report recommending a finding that the dog is a vicious dog and give the report to the States Attorney's Office and the owner. The Administrator, State's Attorney, Director or any citizen of the county in which the dog exists may file a complaint in the circuit court in the name of the People of the State of Illinois to deem a dog to be a vicious dog. Testimony of a certified applied behaviorist, a board certified veterinary behaviorist, or another recognized expert may be relevant to the court's determination of whether the dog's behavior was justified. The petitioner must prove the dog is a vicious dog by clear and convincing evidence. The Administrator shall determine where the animal shall be confined during the pendency of the case.

A dog may shall not be declared vicious if the court determines the conduct of the dog was justified because:

(1) the threat, injury, or death was sustained by a person who at the time was committing a crime or offense upon the owner or custodian of the dog, or was committing a willful trespass or other tort upon the premises or property owned or occupied by the owner of the animal upon the property of the owner or custodian of the dog;

(2) the injured, threatened, or killed person was tormenting, abusing, assaulting, or physically threatening the dog or its offspring, or has in the past tormented, abused, assaulted, or physically threatened the dog or its offspring; or

(3) the dog was responding to pain or injury, or was protecting itself, its owner, custodian, or member of its household, kennel, or offspring.

No dog shall be deemed "vicious" if it is a professionally trained dog for law enforcement or guard duties. Vicious dogs shall not be classified in a manner that is specific as to breed.

If the burden of proof has been met, the court shall deem the dog to be a vicious dog.

If a dog is found to be a vicious dog, the owner shall pay a $100 public safety fine to be deposited into the Pet Population Control Fund, the dog shall be spayed or neutered within 10 days of the finding at the expense of its owner and microchipped, if not already, and the dog is subject to enclosure. If an owner fails to comply with these requirements, the animal control agency shall impound the dog and the owner shall pay a $500 fine plus impoundment fees to the animal control agency impounding the dog. The judge has the discretion to order a vicious dog be euthanized. A dog found to be a vicious dog shall not be released to the owner until the Administrator, an Animal Control Warden, or the Director approves the enclosure. No owner or keeper of a vicious dog shall sell or give away the dog without court approval from the Administrator or court. Whenever an owner of a vicious dog relocates, he or she shall notify both the Administrator of County Animal Control where he or she has relocated and the Administrator of County Animal Control where he or she formerly resided.

(b) It shall be unlawful for any person to keep or maintain any dog which has been found to be a vicious dog unless the dog is kept in an enclosure. The only times that a vicious dog may be allowed out of the enclosure are (1) if it is necessary for the owner or keeper to obtain veterinary care for the dog, (2) in the case of an emergency or natural disaster where the dog's life is threatened, or (3) to comply with the order of a court of competent jurisdiction, provided that the dog is securely muzzled and restrained with a leash not exceeding 6 feet in length, and shall be under the direct control and supervision of the owner or keeper of the dog or muzzled in its residence.

Any dog which has been found to be a vicious dog and which is not confined to an enclosure shall be impounded by the Administrator, an Animal Control Warden, or the law enforcement authority having jurisdiction in such area.

If the owner of the dog has not appealed the impoundment order to the circuit court in the county in which the animal was impounded within 15 working days, the dog may be euthanized.

Upon filing a notice of appeal, the order of euthanasia shall be automatically stayed pending the outcome of the appeal. The owner shall bear the burden of timely notification to animal control in writing.

Guide dogs for the blind or hearing impaired, support dogs for the physically handicapped, and sentry, guard, or police-owned dogs are exempt from this Section; provided, an attack or injury to a person occurs while the dog is performing duties as expected. To qualify for exemption under this Section, each such dog shall be currently inoculated against rabies in accordance with Section 8 of this Act. It shall be the duty of the owner of such exempted dog to notify the Administrator of changes of address. In the case of a sentry or guard dog, the owner shall keep the Administrator advised of the location where such dog will be stationed. The Administrator shall provide police and fire departments with a categorized list of such exempted dogs, and shall promptly notify such departments of any address changes reported to him.

(c) If the animal control agency has custody of the dog, the agency may file a petition with the court requesting that the owner be ordered to post security. The security must be in an amount sufficient to secure payment of all reasonable expenses expected to be incurred by the animal control agency or animal shelter in caring for and providing for the dog pending the determination. Reasonable expenses include, but are not limited to, estimated medical care and boarding of the animal for 30 days. If security has been posted in accordance with this Section, the animal control agency may draw from the security the actual costs incurred by the agency in caring for the dog.

(d) Upon receipt of a petition, the court must set a hearing on the petition, to be conducted within 5 business days after the petition is filed. The petitioner must serve a true copy of the petition upon the defendant.

(e) If the court orders the posting of security, the security must be posted with the clerk of the court within 5 business days after the hearing. If the person ordered to post security does not do so, the dog is forfeited by operation of law and the animal control agency must dispose of the animal through adoption or humane euthanization.

(Source: P.A. 93-548, eff. 8-19-03.)

(510 ILCS 5/15.1)

Sec. 15.1. Dangerous dog determination.

(a) After a thorough investigation including: sending, within 10 business 3 days of the Administrator or Director becoming aware of the alleged infraction, notifications to the owner of the alleged infractions, the fact of the initiation of an investigation, and affording the owner an opportunity to meet with the Administrator or Director prior to the making of a determination; gathering of any medical or veterinary evidence; interviewing witnesses; and making a detailed written report, an animal control warden, deputy administrator, or law enforcement agent may ask the Administrator, or his or her designee, or the Director, to deem a dog to be "dangerous". No dog shall be deemed a "dangerous dog" unless shown to be a dangerous dog by a preponderance of evidence without clear and convincing evidence. The owner shall be sent immediate notification of the determination by registered or certified mail that includes a complete description of the appeal process.

(b) A dog shall not be declared dangerous if the Administrator, or his or her designee, or the Director determines the conduct of the dog was justified because:

(1) the threat was sustained by a person who at the time was committing a crime or offense upon the owner or custodian of the dog or was committing a willful trespass or other tort upon the premises or property occupied by the owner of the animal;

(2) the threatened person was tormenting, abusing, assaulting, or physically threatening the dog or its offspring;

(3) the injured, threatened, or killed companion animal was attacking or threatening to attack the dog or its offspring; or

(4) the dog was responding to pain or injury or was protecting itself, its owner, custodian, or a member of its household, kennel, or offspring.

(c) Testimony of a certified applied behaviorist, a board certified veterinary behaviorist, or another recognized expert may be relevant to the determination of whether the dog's behavior was justified pursuant to the provisions of this Section.

(d) If deemed dangerous, the Administrator, or his or her designee, or the Director shall order (i) the dog's owner to pay a $50 public safety fine to be deposited into the Pet Population Control Fund, (ii) the dog to be spayed or neutered within 14 days at the owner's expense and microchipped, if not already, and (iii) one or more of the following as deemed appropriate under the circumstances and necessary for the protection of the public:

(1) evaluation of the dog by a certified applied behaviorist, a board certified veterinary behaviorist, or another recognized expert in the field and completion of training or other treatment as deemed appropriate by the expert. The owner of the dog shall be responsible for all costs associated with evaluations and training ordered under this subsection; or

(2) direct supervision by an adult 18 years of age or older whenever the animal is on public premises.

(e) The Administrator may order a dangerous dog to be muzzled whenever it is on public premises in a manner that will prevent it from biting any person or animal, but that shall not injure the dog or interfere with its vision or respiration.

(f) Guide dogs for the blind or hearing impaired, support dogs for the physically handicapped, and sentry, guard, or police-owned dogs are exempt from this Section; provided, an attack or injury to a person occurs while the dog is performing duties as expected. To qualify for exemption under this Section, each such dog shall be currently inoculated against rabies in accordance with Section 8 of this Act and performing duties as expected. It shall be the duty of the owner of the exempted dog to notify the Administrator of changes of address. In the case of a sentry or guard dog, the owner shall keep the Administrator advised of the location where such dog will be stationed. The Administrator shall provide police and fire departments with a categorized list of the exempted dogs, and shall promptly notify the departments of any address changes reported to him or her.

(g) An animal control agency has the right to impound a dangerous dog if the owner fails to comply with the requirements of this Act.

(Source: P.A. 93-548, eff. 8-19-03.)

(510 ILCS 5/26) (from Ch. 8, par. 376)

Sec. 26. (a) Any person violating or aiding in or abetting the violation of any provision of this Act, or counterfeiting or forging any certificate, permit, or tag, or making any misrepresentation in regard to any matter prescribed by this Act, or resisting, obstructing, or impeding the Administrator or any authorized officer in enforcing this Act, or refusing to produce for inoculation any dog in his possession, or who removes a tag from a dog for purposes of destroying or concealing its identity, is guilty of a Class C misdemeanor for a first offense and for a subsequent offense, is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.

Each day a person fails to comply constitutes a separate offense. Each State's Attorney to whom the Administrator reports any violation of this Act shall cause appropriate proceedings to be instituted in the proper courts without delay and to be prosecuted in the manner provided by law.

(b) If the owner of a vicious dog subject to enclosure:

(1) fails to maintain or keep the dog in an enclosure or fails to spay or neuter the dog within the time period prescribed; and

(2) the dog inflicts serious physical injury upon any other person or causes the death of another person; and

(3) the attack is unprovoked in a place where such person is peaceably conducting himself or herself and where such person may lawfully be;

the owner shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony, unless the owner knowingly allowed the dog to run at large or failed to take steps to keep the dog in an enclosure then the owner shall be guilty of a Class 3 felony. The penalty provided in this paragraph shall be in addition to any other criminal or civil sanction provided by law.

(c) If the owner of a dangerous dog knowingly fails to comply with any order of the court regarding the dog and the dog inflicts serious physical injury on a person or a companion animal, the owner shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. If the owner of a dangerous dog knowingly fails to comply with any order regarding the dog and the dog kills a person the owner shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony.

(Source: P.A. 93-548, eff. 8-19-03.)

(510 ILCS 5/30 new)

Sec. 30. Rules. The Department shall administer this Act and shall promulgate rules necessary to effectuate the purposes of this Act. The Director may, in formulating rules pursuant to this Act, seek the advice and recommendations of humane societies and societies for the protection of animals.

(510 ILCS 5/35 new)

Sec. 35. Liability.

(a) Any municipality or political subdivision allowing feral cat colonies and trap, sterilize, and return programs to help control cat overpopulation shall be immune from criminal liability and shall not be civilly liable, except for willful and wanton misconduct, for damages that may result from a feral cat. Any municipality or political subdivision allowing dog parks shall be immune from criminal liability and shall not be civilly liable, except for willful and wanton misconduct, for damages that may result from occurrences in the dog park.

(b) Any veterinarian or animal shelter who in good faith contacts the registered owner of a microchipped animal shall be immune from criminal liability and shall not, as a result of his or her acts or omissions, except for willful and wanton misconduct, be liable for civil damages.

(c) Any veterinarian who sterilizes feral cats and any feral cat caretaker who traps cats for a trap, sterilize, and return program shall be immune from criminal liability and shall not, as a result of his or her acts or omissions, except for willful and wanton misconduct, be liable for civil damages.

(d) Any animal shelter worker who microchips an animal shall be immune from criminal liability and shall not, as a result of his or her acts or omissions, except for willful and wanton misconduct, be liable for civil damages.

Section 920. The Illinois Vehicle Code is amended by changing Section 3-653 as follows:

(625 ILCS 5/3-653)

Sec. 3-653. Pet Friendly license plates.

(a) The Secretary, upon receipt of an application made in the form prescribed by the Secretary, may issue special registration plates designated as Pet Friendly license plates. The special plates issued under this Section shall be affixed only to passenger vehicles of the first division, motor vehicles of the second division weighing not more than 8,000 pounds, and recreational vehicles as defined in Section 1-169 of this Code. Plates issued under this Section shall expire according to the multi-year procedure established by Section 3-414.1 of this Code.

(b) The design and color of the plates is wholly within the discretion of the Secretary, except that the phrase "I am pet friendly" shall be on the plates. The Secretary may allow the plates to be issued as vanity plates or personalized plates under Section 3-405.1 of the Code. The Secretary shall prescribe stickers or decals as provided under Section 3-412 of this Code.

(c) An applicant for the special plate shall be charged a $40 fee for original issuance in addition to the appropriate registration fee. Of this additional fee, $25 shall be deposited into the Pet Population Overpopulation Control Fund and $15 shall be deposited into the Secretary of State Special License Plate Fund, to be used by the Secretary to help defray the administrative processing costs.

For each registration renewal period, a $27 fee, in addition to the appropriate registration fee, shall be charged. Of this additional fee, $25 shall be deposited into the Pet Population Overpopulation Control Fund and $2 shall be deposited into the Secretary of State Special License Plate Fund.

(d) The Pet Overpopulation Control Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury. All moneys in the Pet Overpopulation Control Fund shall be paid, subject to appropriation by the General Assembly and approval by the Secretary, as grants to humane societies exempt from federal income taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code to be used solely for the humane sterilization of dogs and cats in the State of Illinois. In approving grants under this subsection (d), the Secretary shall consider recommendations for grants made by a volunteer board appointed by the Secretary that shall consist of 5 Illinois residents who are officers or directors of humane societies operating in different regions in Illinois.

(Source: P.A. 92-520, eff. 6-1-02; 92-651, eff. 7-11-02.)

Section 995. The State Mandates Act is amended by adding Section 8.29 as follows:

(30 ILCS 805/8.29 new)

Sec. 8.29. Exempt mandate. Notwithstanding Sections 6 and 8 of this Act, no reimbursement by the State is required for the implementation of any mandate created by this amendatory Act of the 94th General Assembly.

Section 999. Effective date. This Act takes effect upon becoming law.