Chapter 6-04
ANIMALS GENERALLY

Sections:

6-04-010    Definitions.

6-04-020    Fowls, rabbits.

6-04-030    Other animals.

6-04-040    Noisy animals.

6-04-050    Burning.

6-04-060    Animal carcasses.

6-04-070    Traps authorized.

6-04-080    Deposit.

6-04-090    Administrative fee.

6-04-100    Return of traps and deposit.

6-04-110    Forfeiture of deposit.

6-04-120    Deduction for damage.

6-04-130    Exception.

6-04-140    Violations—Penalties.

6-04-010 Definitions.

Unless it is apparent from the context that another meaning is intended, the following words when used herein shall have the meaning attached to them by this section:

“Improved lot” means any lot or parcel of land on which is located a dwelling house, occupied or unoccupied.

“Lot” or “parcel of land” means any area of land under one ownership as shown on the last assessor’s roll of Cook County and the records of the city whichever is the most recent, or, any area of land under legal control of any person. (Prior code § 810-1)

6-04-020 Fowls, rabbits.

A.    It is declared to be a nuisance, and it is unlawful for any person to suffer or permit any chicks, chickens, geese, ducks, turkeys, pigeons, doves, squabs, or similar fowls, or any hare or hares, or rabbit or rabbits owned or controlled by such person to run at large or to go upon the premises of any other person or to keep or maintain the same within fifteen (15) feet of the property line of any adjacent improved lot or parcel of land or within fifty (50) feet of any dwelling other than that occupied by such person.

B.    It is declared to be a nuisance, and it is unlawful for any person to keep or maintain within two hundred (200) feet of any dwelling other than that occupied by such person, more than twelve (12) chickens or more than fifty (50) chicks or fowls of any kind under four months old, or more than ten (10) rabbits or hares over the age of four months, or more than twenty-five (25) rabbits or hares under the age of four months. Anything in this chapter to the contrary, notwithstanding, it is lawful for any person to keep or maintain as pets, pigeons or doves and not more than two pet rabbits or bunnies. (Prior code § 8-10-2)

6-04-030 Other animals.

It is declared to be a nuisance, and it is unlawful for any person to keep, pasture, feed or maintain any swine, rooster, monkey, goat, horse, mule, pony, burro, donkey, sheep, cow, wolf, fox, hive of bees or similar animals within the boundaries of the city. (Ord. 2219 § 2, 1980: prior code § 8-10-8)

6-04-040 Noisy animals.

It is declared to be a nuisance and it is unlawful for any person to keep or permit upon any parcel of land any animal or animals, including fowl or fowls, which by any sound or cry shall disturb the peace and comfort of any neighborhood, or interfere with any person in the reasonable and comfortable enjoyment of life or property. (Prior code § 8-10-11)

6-04-050 Burning.

It is declared to be a nuisance and it is unlawful for any person to bum or permit to be burned upon any premises any bone, feathers, offal, flesh, hide or hair. (Prior code § 8-10-9)

6-04-060 Animal carcasses.

It is declared to be a nuisance and it is unlawful for any person to permit the carcass of any animal to remain upon property owned, controlled or occupied by such person for a period of more than twenty-four (24) hours, or to bury the carcass of any animal upon property owned, controlled or occupied by him, or to permit any animal or vegetable matter, filth, night soil, slops, swill, suds, stagnant water or other offensive matter to collect or to be deposited upon any property owned, controlled or occupied by him. (Prior code § 8-10-10)

6-04-070 Traps authorized.

Animal control wardens are authorized to issue, upon the request of any citizen, traps suitable for catching animals or vermin. Any person desiring to obtain a trap shall apply to the police department upon forms provided by the department. The application shall include the name, address and telephone number of the person making the application as well as a description of the type of animal sought to be caught. The application shall also include the location at which the trap is to be used, if different from the address of the person making the application. (Ord. 2581 § 1 (part), 1988)

6-04-080 Deposit.

The department is authorized to charge a deposit upon each trap provided to any person. Deposits shall be charged as follows:

Small trap

$25.00

Large trap

35.00

(Ord. 2581 § 1 (part), 1988)

6-04-090 Administrative fee.

In addition to the deposit set forth in Section 604-080, the department is also authorized to charge an administrative fee in the amount of one dollar ($1.00) per trap. The administrative fee charged by the department shall be added to and collected at the same time the applicant pays the required deposit. The administrative fee shall be nonrefundable and shall be retained by the city to defray the administrative expense associated with administration of the program. (Ord. 2581" § 1 (part), 1988)

6-04-100 Return of traps and deposit.

Traps provided by the city shall remain the property of the city and shall be returned within thirty (30) days. Upon return of the traps, the applicant shall be entitled to receive a refund of the deposit, less the administrative fee authorized by this chapter. (Ord. 2581 § 1 (part), 1988)

6-04-110 Forfeiture of deposit.

If the traps issued under this chapter are not returned to the city, the applicant shall forfeit all right, title and interest in the deposit held by the city. If the trap is not returned within thirty (30) days, the city shall notify applicant of the forfeiture of the said deposit if not claimed within five business days. (Ord. 2581 § 1 (part), 1988)

6-04-120 Deduction for damage.

The city shall be entitled to deduct from the deposit the following amounts for damages to any returned trap:

Minor damage, such faulty latch or broken hinge

Five dollars

Severe damage

Forfeit deposit plus actual cost of repairs

(Ord. 2581 § 1 (part), 1988)

6-04-130 Exception.

Where unnecessary hardships will result from the carrying out of the strict letter of any of the provisions of this chapter, the council, upon receiving a written application from the person affected, shall have power in a specific case to vary any such provision to the end that the general welfare may be secured and substantial justice done. (Prior code § 8-10-13)

6-04-140 Violations—Penalties.

A.    Separate Offenses. Each day during which a nuisance as defined in this chapter is maintained, continued, suffered or permitted to exist, shall constitute a distinct and separate offense.

B.    Traps. It is a violation of this chapter for any person to damage or fail to repair any trap issued by the city. A person convicted under the provisions of this chapter shall be fined not less than twenty-five ($25.00) dollars nor more than two hundred dollars ($200.00) for each offense. Each day that an offense shall continue shall be deemed a separate and distinct offense.

C.    Penalty. Any violation of the provisions of this chapter shall result in a fine of not less than ten dollars ($10.00) nor more than two hundred dollars ($200.00) for each offense. Each day during or on which a violation occurs or continues shall constitute a separate and distinct offense. (Ord. 2581 § 1 (part), 1988; Ord. 2219 § 4, 1980; prior code § 8-10-12)