[HISTORY: Adopted by the President and Board of Trustees
of the Village of Sidney 4-4-2016 by Ord. No. 2016-03. Amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Parks and public property — See Ch. 175.
A.
The running at large of any dog or cat within the Village is declared
a public nuisance and is prohibited.
B.
Any dog or cat shall be deemed at large when it is off the property
of its owner, possessor, keeper or other authorized person, and is
not under the control of its owner, possessor, keeper or other authorized
person by leash, cord, chain, rope or other effective device. For
the purpose of this chapter, voice control shall not be considered
as control.
C.
A dog or cat is under restraint, and not at large, within the meaning
of this chapter if it is controlled by a leash, cord, chain, rope
or other effective device by its owner, possessor, keeper or other
authorized person, or is confined within a vehicle driven or parked
on the streets, or is within the property limits of its owner, possessor,
keeper or other authorized person.
A dog or cat is also deemed to be a public nuisance, and the
owner, keeper, possessor, or other authorized person of such an animal
shall be in violation of this chapter if his or her dog or cat commits
any of the following acts in the Village:
A.
Causes damage to the property or possessions of any person other
than the owner;
B.
Bites or scratches a person other than the owner;
C.
Seriously or viciously frightens, annoys, nips, hisses at, growls
at, barks at, or jumps at any person other than the owner;
D.
Chases or barks at an automobile, bicycle, or any other vehicle upon
the streets or alleys of the Village;
E.
Overturns garbage cans, trash bins, recyclable bins or incinerators;
or
F.
Does not have a current Champaign County, Illinois tag indicating
inoculation against rabies.
It is unlawful for any person to own, possess or keep a dog
or cat that howls, whines, wails, growls, or barks with such loudness
and/or frequency or for such an extended period of time as to disturb
the peace and quiet of the neighborhood.
No animal which is hereafter declared dangerous or vicious by any governmental body, or governmental entity or governmental official entity, is permitted within the Village limits. All such dangerous and vicious animals are hereby declared public nuisances, are subject to impoundment, and are subject to the penalties described in § 111-5 hereof.
A.
Any dog or cat running at large in violation of § 111-1, being a nuisance under § 111-2, barking or howling in violation of § 111-3, or being a vicious animal under § 111-4 is subject to impoundment.
(1)
Impounding of all animals will be handled by a designated Village
agent or employee, or by a Champaign County Animal Control Officer.
(2)
Any owner, keeper, possessor or other authorized person, upon claiming
the animal, is liable for all fees and fines as levied by the Village
and the Champaign County Humane Society shelter or other impoundment
facility.
(3)
At the end of seven days, the animal will be put up for adoption
or disposed of at the discretion of the impoundment facility, according
to its rules and procedures.
B.
Any owner, keeper, possessor or other authorized person who has permitted a dog or cat to run at large in violation of § 111-1, to be a nuisance under § 111-2, to bark or howl in violation of § 111-3, or which animal constitutes a vicious animal under § 111-4 is in violation of this chapter. Such person shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $50 plus costs for the first offense, $100 plus costs for the second such violation, and $200 plus costs for each subsequent or additional violation that occurs within any twelve-month period.
It shall be the duty of the owner, keeper, possessor or other
authorized person having custody of any dog which bites any human
being to keep such animal locked up in an enclosed facility (recommendation
of a facility will be made by the Animal Control Officer) for 10 days
following the time the dog has bitten the person. The dog must be
examined by a licensed veterinarian at the commencement and termination
of this ten-day period. If such dog shall die during this period or
show definite signs of illness, it shall be the duty of such owner
or person having custody of the dog to turn the dog over to the County
Animal Control Officer so that it can be determined whether or not
the dog has rabies.
A.
When a cat has bitten a person other than the owner, or is believed
to be a source of rabies or other infectious diseases, or is otherwise
diseased, or presents a hazard to public health, then such cat is
subject to being impounded.
B.
Impounding of all cats will be handled by an appropriate kennel or
veterinary office selected by the owner or the Village.
A.
Any person who shall be cruel to any animal by cruelly beating, mutilating,
torturing or killing any animal; or any person who fails to provide
quarters for animals that are protected from excessive heat or cold;
or any person who fails to keep an animal in a clean, sanitary and
healthy manner shall be in violation of this chapter.
B.
Complaints will be referred directly to the Champaign County Humane
Society or the Champaign County Animal Control Officer. If, after
an investigation by the appropriate local, county, or state authority,
the person is found to be in violation of this chapter, a fine not
to exceed $200 per violation shall be imposed.
A.
No owner or person in control of a dog shall permit the dog to deposit
fecal matter on any public right-of-way or property, or on any private
property, other than that of the owner or person in control, without
providing a means of disposing of the fecal matter.
B.
The owner or person in control of a dog shall promptly remove any
fecal matter deposited on any such property, other than property belonging
to the owner or person in control of the dog.
C.
This section shall not apply to support dogs, or guide dogs used
by blind, visually handicapped, hearing impaired or otherwise physically
disabled persons.
D.
The offenses prohibited by this section shall be absolute liability
offenses.
E.
Any owner or person in control of a dog who violates the prohibitions
of this section shall be fined an amount not to exceed $50 for each
offense.
Animals native to this area such as raccoons, opossums, bats
and skunks accidentally interact with the human residents. If such
an animal is causing damage or is a threat to human beings, the resident
should report the animal to the Champaign County Humane Society or
the Champaign County Animal Control Officer for investigation and
action.
A.
Except as herein otherwise provided, any person violating the terms
of this chapter shall be subject to a fine not to exceed $200 for
each violation. The Village may impose an administrative fine in lieu
of judicial action, but if the person charged elects not to pay such
administrative fine, the Village Attorney may prosecute such violation
in the appropriate court for imposition of an appropriate fine by
the court.
B.
In addition to fines, the Village may, as it deems advisable, seek
injunctive relief against continuing violations of this chapter.
