Can I Keep A Lost Dog In Illinois?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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“Lost” or stray dogs should be turned over to Animal Control

. The Illinois Animal Control Act requires them to scan for a microchip and search for any other identification and then notify the owner. Once the dog is identified, the animal control is then required to allow the owner 7 days to pick up the dog.

Can you get in trouble for losing a dog?

Here are some laws you should know in case your pet is lost:

A loose dog or cat may be legally seized or impounded by local animal authorities, especially if the animal is without identification tags

. In most states, an animal found with no tags is considered “abandoned property” and becomes property of the state.

How long before a pet is considered abandoned in Illinois?

These laws provide the minimum required period that an animal (usually a dog or cat) must be kept at a pound or public animal shelter before it is sold, adopted out, or euthanized. Typically, the holding period runs from

five to seven days

. However, it can be as short as 48 to 72 hours in some cases.

What are the dog laws in Illinois?

The Responsibility of an Illinois Dog Owner


If an owner takes their dog for a walk on public property or on someone else’s private property, the dog should remain leashed

. If a dog escapes from the owner’s property, the owner can be deemed responsible for any damage the dog causes.

How long does an Illinois lost dog have to claim?

“Lost” or stray dogs should be turned over to Animal Control. The Illinois Animal Control Act requires them to scan for a microchip and search for any other identification and then notify the owner. Once the dog is identified, the animal control is then required to allow the owner

7 days

to pick up the dog.

What do I do if I find a lost dog in Chicago?

If you live in the City of Chicago and found a lost pet, please

visit the Chicago Animal Care and Control website or visit Pet Harbor

. If you’ve found an animal, please call your local police department for assistance.

Are pet stores illegal in Illinois?


Illinois became the fifth state to ban sales of dogs and cats at pet stores

because they are sourced from puppy mills and large commercial facilities. Responsible breeders never sell to pet stores.

What is considered animal neglect in Illinois?

The neglect of animals occurs

when the owner or a person in charge of caring for them does not provide proper food, water and shelter to the animals

. In cases where pet owners are suspected of abuse or neglect, their pets may be impounded by the state.

Is it illegal to leave your dog outside in the winter in Illinois?

Illinois Passes New Dog Law

Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner signed legislation which makes it

against the law to leave pets in extreme hot and or cold weather that could cause injury or death to the animals

.

Can I keep a dog if I find it?

It can be tempting to just give the pet a new name and make him part of your family, but that’s not the right thing to do—and

in most places, it’s illegal

. Most municipalities require that found dogs be reported to animal control and may have other laws about what must happen if you find a stray pet.

Should I report lost dog to police?


Contact the police if you think your dog has been stolen

. The police will pick up stray dogs if they are found chasing or worrying livestock, but in all other cases stray dogs are the responsibility of the local authority (as above).

Where do dogs go when police take them?

The costs of police dogs are lower as they are kept with their handlers, unless they are on annual leave.

Most forces have their own kennels to house police dogs, although some smaller forces use private kennels

.

Is it illegal to not have your dog on a leash in Illinois?

Leash laws refer not only to leashes, but to other modes of containment as well. According to its Animal Control Act,

Chicago requires all animal owners to contain their pets in some form – leash, crate, car, etc – while they are in public

. Animals can roam free on private property, including front yards.

Is it illegal to have your dog off leash in Chicago?


Chicago law requires dogs to always be on leashes when they are off the owner’s property

. Rescue and law enforcement dogs are exempt from this law. A dog’s owner can face a fine if he or she fails to do this.

Is stealing a dog a felony in Illinois?


subsection (c) shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony for each violation, unless the loss, theft, or damage to the animal facility property exceeds $300 in value

.

What do you do if someone won’t give your pet back?

  1. Call the police right away and ask to file a report. …
  2. Give the HomeAgain lost pet recovery service the details of the alleged theft. …
  3. Call all of the shelters, veterinary offices, and grooming salons in your town and neighboring towns.

What to do if you find a lost dog?

If you find a missing pet,

hand it over to the Animal Management Centre (AMC) or SPCA

. If the pet you found matches the description of a missing pet appearing in the classified ads section of a newspaper, or on notices or flyers, contact the owner directly.

How long is the stray hold in Illinois?

How long do you hold the stray animals? We hold all stray animals for

4 full days

, per Illinois State Law. After the 4 days, the animals are evaluated for adoption.

What do you do with an abandoned dog?

  1. Secure the dog and inform a community dog centre.
  2. Click a picture of the dog and circulate it on social media and community social groups.
  3. Ensure that food and water are given to the dog.
  4. Arrange for a temporary shelter.

Where can I take my dog in Chicago?

  • City of Chicago Animal Care and Control (CACC) – 2741 S. Western Ave, 312-747-1406.
  • Animal Welfare League – 6224 S. Wabash Ave, 773-667-0088.

What to do if you find a stray cat?

In the case of stray animals, residents are urged to

try and confine the animal and call an organisation for help

. A photograph, a location where the animal was spotted and its condition can be shared with authorities. If the animal is not sick or injured, law enforcement is mandated to collect healthy strays.

What happens to animals not sold in pet stores?

What happens to pet store puppies who aren’t sold? As with other unsold inventory,

they go on sale

. Stores buy puppies for a fraction of what they charge their customers. An eight-week-old puppy may have an initial price tag of $1,500 in a store.

Are puppy mills illegal in Illinois?

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) —

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Friday signed a law banning “puppy mills,”

requiring retail stores to buy pet inventory from rescues and shelters. Locally, businesses like Petland and Furry Babies could be affected.

Can you sell a dog in Illinois?


The new law prohibits stores from selling cats and dogs from breeders

, marking a key step in eliminating inhumane breeding operations. The Illinois Legislature recently passed House Bill 1711 that prohibits pet stores in the state from selling cats and dogs from breeders.

What are basic animal rights?

Animal rights are

moral principles grounded in the belief that non-human animals deserve the ability to live as they wish, without being subjected to the desires of human beings

. At the core of animal rights is autonomy, which is another way of saying choice.

How many dogs can you own in Illinois?

A maximum of

four dogs

and four cats of an age greater than six months may be owned, kept, or harbored in an individual residence. For the purposes of this section, an individual residence includes both single family dwellings and each individual dwelling unit within multi-unit housing structures.

Are dogs property in Illinois?


Pets are technically considered property, but under Illinois law, they are treated differently than a house, car, or other physical assets during a divorce

. Therefore, it is important for pet owners who are divorcing to understand their rights regarding who gets to keep the family pet.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.