Illinois Compiled Statutes 510 ILCS 70 — Humane Care for Animals Act.

This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Humane Care for Animals Act"

This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Humane Care for Animals Act". (Source: P.A. 78-905.)

As used in this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms specified in the Sections following this Section and preceding Section 3 have the meanings ascribed to them in those Sections

As used in this Act, unless the context otherwise requires, the terms specified in the Sections following this Section and preceding Section 3 have the meanings ascribed to them in those Sections. (Source: P.A. 99-78, eff. 7-20-15.)

"Animal" means every living creature, domestic or wild, but does not include man

"Animal" means every living creature, domestic or wild, but does not include man. (Source: P.A. 78-905.)

Companion animal

Companion animal. "Companion animal" means an animal that is commonly considered to be, or is considered by the owner to be, a pet. "Companion animal" includes, but is not limited to, canines, felines, and equines. (Source: P.A. 92-454, eff. 1-1-02.)

Exigent circumstances

Exigent circumstances. "Exigent circumstances" means a licensed veterinarian cannot be secured without undue delay and, in the opinion of the animal control warden, animal control administrator, Department of Agriculture investigator, approved humane investigator, or animal shelter employee, the animal is so severely i…

Service animal

Service animal. "Service animal" means an animal trained in obedience and task skills to meet the needs of a person with a disability. (Source: P.A. 99-143, eff. 7-27-15.)

Search and rescue dog

Search and rescue dog. "Search and rescue dog" means any dog that is trained or is certified to locate persons lost on land or in water. (Source: P.A. 92-454, eff. 1-1-02.)

Animal Control Administrator

Animal Control Administrator. "Animal Control Administrator" means a veterinarian licensed by the State of Illinois and appointed pursuant to the Animal Control Act, or his duly authorized representative. (Source: P.A. 92-454, eff. 1-1-02.)

Animal control facility

Animal control facility. "Animal control facility" means any facility operated by or under contract for the State, county, or any municipal corporation or political subdivision of the State for the purpose of impounding or harboring seized, stray, homeless, abandoned or unwanted dogs, cats, and other animals. (Source:…

Animal Control Warden

Animal Control Warden. "Animal Control Warden" means any person appointed by the Administrator and approved by the Board to perform duties as assigned by the Administrator to effectuate the Animal Control Act. (Source: P.A. 92-454, eff. 1-1-02.)

Animal shelter

Animal shelter. "Animal shelter" means a facility operated, owned, or maintained by a duly incorporated humane society, animal welfare society, or other non-profit organization for the purpose of providing for and promoting the welfare, protection, and humane treatment of animals. "Animal shelter" also means any veteri…

"Department" means the Department of Agriculture

"Department" means the Department of Agriculture. (Source: P.A. 78-905.)

"Department investigator" or "approved humane investigator" means a person employed by or approved by the Department to determine whether there has been a violation of this Act or an animal control warden or animal control administrator appointed under the Animal Control Act. (Source: P.A. 87-157.)

"Director" means the Director of Agriculture, or his duly appointed representative

"Director" means the Director of Agriculture, or his duly appointed representative. (Source: P.A. 78-905.)

"Humane society" means any chartered, not for profit organization authorized to do business in this State and organized for the purpose of preventing cruelty to animals and promoting humane care and treatment of animals. (Source: P.A. 78-905.)

"Livestock management facility" means any on-farm animal feeding operation, on-farm livestock shelter, or on-farm milking and accompanying milk handling area

"Livestock management facility" means any on-farm animal feeding operation, on-farm livestock shelter, or on-farm milking and accompanying milk handling area. (Source: P.A. 83-140.)

"Owner" means any person who (a) has a right of property in an animal, (b) keeps or harbors an animal, (c) has an animal in his care, or (d) acts as custodian of an animal

"Owner" means any person who (a) has a right of property in an animal, (b) keeps or harbors an animal, (c) has an animal in his care, or (d) acts as custodian of an animal. (Source: P.A. 78-905.)

Person

Person. "Person" means any individual, minor, firm, corporation, partnership, other business unit, society, association, or other legal entity, any public or private institution, the State of Illinois, or any municipal corporation or political subdivision of the State. (Source: P.A. 92-454, eff. 1-1-02.)

Police animal

Police animal. "Police animal" means any animal owned or used by a law enforcement department or agency in the course of the department or agency's work. (Source: P.A. 90-80, eff. 7-10-97.)

Humanely euthanized

Humanely euthanized. "Humanely euthanized" means the painless administration of a lethal dose of an agent or method of euthanasia as prescribed in the Report of the American Veterinary Medical Association Panel on Euthanasia published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, March 1, 2001 (or any…

Companion animal hoarder

Companion animal hoarder. "Companion animal hoarder" means a person who (i) possesses a large number of companion animals; (ii) fails to or is unable to provide what he or she is required to provide under Section 3 of this Act; (iii) keeps the companion animals in a severely overcrowded environment; and (iv) displays a…

Owner's duties

Owner's duties. (a) Each owner shall provide for each of his or her animals: (1) a sufficient quantity of good quality, wholesome food and water; (2) adequate shelter and protection from the weather; (3) veterinary care when needed to prevent suffering; and (4) humane care and treatment. (b) To lawfully tether a dog ou…

Cruel treatment

Cruel treatment. (a) No person or owner may beat, cruelly treat, torment, starve, overwork or otherwise abuse any animal. (b) No owner may abandon any animal where it may become a public charge or may suffer injury, hunger or exposure. (c) No owner of a dog or cat that is a companion animal may expose the dog or cat in…

Aggravated cruelty

Aggravated cruelty. (a) No person may intentionally commit an act that causes a companion animal to suffer serious injury or death. Aggravated cruelty does not include euthanasia of a companion animal through recognized methods approved by the Department of Agriculture unless prohibited under subsection (b). (b) No ind…

Animal torture

Animal torture. (a) A person commits animal torture when that person without legal justification knowingly or intentionally tortures an animal. For purposes of this Section, and subject to subsection (b), "torture" means infliction of or subjection to extreme physical pain, motivated by an intent to increase or prolong…