§ 13 — Dog or other animal bites; observation of animal

(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsections (b) and (c) 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. The confinement shall be for a period of not less than 10 days from the date the bite occurred and shall continue until the animal has been examined and released from confinement by a licensed veterinarian. The Administrator or, if the Administrator is not a veterinarian, the Deputy Administrator may permit such confinement to be reduced to a period of less than 10 days. (a-5) The owner, or if the owner is unavailable, an agent or caretaker of an animal documented to have bitten a person shall present the animal to a licensed veterinarian within 24 hours. A veterinarian presented with an animal documented to have bitten a person shall make a record of the clinical condition of the animal immediately. At the end of the confinement period, the animal shall be examined by a licensed veterinarian, inoculated against rabies, if eligible, and microchipped, if the dog or cat has not been already, at the expense of the owner. The veterinarian shall submit a written report listing the owner's name, address, dates of confinement, dates of examination, species, breed, description, age, sex, and microchip number of the animal to the Administrator advising him or her of the clinical condition and the final disposition of the animal on appropriate forms approved by the Department. The Administrator shall notify the person who has been bitten, and in the case of confirmed rabies in the animal, the attending physician or responsible health agency advising of the clinical condition of the animal. (a-10) When the Administrator or, if the Administrator is not a veterinarian, the Deputy Administrator or his or her authorized representative receives information that a person has been bitten by an animal and evidence is presented that the animal at the time the bite occurred was inoculated against rabies within the time prescribed by law, the animal may be confined in a house, or in a manner which will prohibit the animal from biting a person, if the Administrator, Deputy Administrator, or his or her authorized representative determines the confinement satisfactory. The confinement shall be for a period of not less than 10 days from the date the bite occurred and shall continue until the animal has been examined and released from confinement by a licensed veterinarian. The Administrator or, if the Administrator is not a veterinarian, the Deputy Administrator may instruct the owner, agent, or caretaker to have the animal examined by a licensed veterinarian immediately. The Administrator or, if the Administrator is not a veterinarian, the Deputy Administrator may permit the 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 and microchipped, if the dog or cat is not already, at the expense of the owner. The veterinarian shall submit a written report listing the owner's name, address, dates of examination, species, breed, description, age, sex, and microchip number of the animal to the Administrator advising him or her of the clinical condition and the final disposition of the animal on appropriate forms approved by the Department. The Administrator shall notify the person who has been bitten and, in case of confirmed rabies in the animal, the attending physician or responsible health agency advising of the clinical condition of the animal. (a-15) 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 within 24 hours. (a-20) It is unlawful for the owner of the animal to conceal the whereabouts, euthanize, sell, give away, or otherwise dispose of any animal known to have bitten a person, until it is examined and released from confinement by the Administrator or, if the Administrator is not a veterinarian, the Deputy Administrator, or licensed veterinarian. It is unlawful for the owner of the animal to refuse or fail to immediately comply with the instructions made by the Administrator or, if the Administrator is not a veterinarian, the Deputy Administrator, or his or her authorized representative. 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 a $25 public safety fine to be deposited into the county animal control fund. (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. (c) When a person has been bitten by a search and rescue dog that is currently vaccinated against rabies, the search and rescue dog may continue to perform its duties for the handler or owner or agency and any period of observation of the dog may be under the supervision of its handler or owner. The supervision shall consist of the dog being locked in a kennel, performing its official duties in a vehicle, or remaining under the constant supervision of its handler or owner. (d) Any person convicted of violating subsection (a-20) of this Section is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor for a first violation. A second or subsequent violation is a Class 4 felony.

Legislative History

(Source: P.A. 99-658, eff. 7-28-16; 100-787, eff. 8-10-18.)