Attorney General Opinions

Dog control

S-1463: Animal control administrators hired by counties to enforce the Illinois Animal Control Act (Ill. Rev. Stat. 1977, ch. 8, sec. 359), which is designed to prevent rabies, have the right to pick up any dog running loose in the county, whether or not it is wearing rabies tags, if the officer believes it may be rabid, is not innoculated or has attacked persons or livestock. The officer's jurisdiction includes subdividions in unincorporated areas as well as incorporated areas of the county. While the officer, who must be a licensed veterinarian, is hired mainly to enforce the state law, he may also enforce county animal control laws, since he is a county officer. However, the stale law does not bar municipalities from enacting leash laws.

February 1980/Illinois Issues/29