(510 ILCS 55/1.1)

(from Ch. 8, par. 1.1)

Sec. 1.1.

Definitions.

As used in this Act, unless the context otherwise requires:

"Livestock" means bison, cattle, swine, sheep, goats, equidae, or geese.

"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.

"Person" means any individual, firm, association, partnership, corporation, or other legal entity, any public or private institution, the State of Illinois, or any municipal corporation or political subdivision of the State.

"Running at large" or "run at large" means livestock that strays from confinement or restraint and from the limits of the owner.

(Source: P.A. 84‑28.)

(510 ILCS 55/1.2)

(from Ch. 8, par. 1.2)

Sec. 1.2.

A notice of a violation of this Act shall be given to the person or owner of livestock running at large if known and a maximum of 24 hours may be granted in which to make the necessary corrections if the violation is an accidental occurrence and an investigation reveals no identifiable individual at fault. Any livestock allowed to run at large may be impounded at a facility capable of restraining such livestock. A notice of impoundment shall be delivered to the owner of such livestock in person or by certified mail.

Law enforcement officials such as State Police, County Sheriffs, or municipal police officers, or authorized agents of the Illinois Department of Agriculture, or authorized agents of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, or the owner or occupier of land may give notice and cause stray animals which trespass to be impounded.

The person or persons having stray livestock impounded shall make every reasonable effort to notify the owner or keeper of the impounded livestock where such livestock is impounded.

The person or persons requesting impoundment shall be held harmless of any liability for injury to or for any financial responsibility for such animals.

Stray animals may be impounded at any public stockyards, livestock auction markets or any other facilities willing to accept such animals for impoundment. The impounding facility and its owner or owners shall not be held liable for any injury or accrue any financial responsibility for such impounded animals.

Any expense incurred in such impoundment shall become a lien on the livestock impounded and must be discharged before the livestock are released from the facility. The livestock may be released to the owner prior to the expiration of the impoundment period if impoundment costs are satisfied and the owner provides evidence that he is capable of restraining the livestock from running at large. If the owner refuses or fails to provide such restraints, or the impounded animals are not claimed and incurred costs paid within the period of impoundment, such animals shall be sold either at a public auction, or through a public stockyard or a livestock auction market. Before any livestock can be sold as herein provided, the person requesting the impoundment shall have published notice of the intended sale thereof in a newspaper of general circulation in the area where the impounded animals were found to be running at large. If the impounded livestock is not claimed within 10 days after the date of publication of such notice, the livestock may be sold. The proceeds of the sale shall be applied first to discharge the lien, and any balance shall be paid to the owner. If any court of competent jurisdiction issues any order concerning any impounded animal, such animal shall immediately pass to the jurisdiction and possession of the court bailiff of the jurisdiction in which the order was issued.

(Source: P.A. 89‑445, eff. 2‑7‑96.)

(510 ILCS 55/1)

(from Ch. 8, par. 1)

Sec. 1.

No person or owner of livestock shall allow livestock to run at large in the State of Illinois. All owners of livestock shall provide the necessary restraints to prevent such livestock from so running at large and shall be liable in civil action for all damages occasioned by such animals running at large; Provided, that no owner or keeper of such animals shall be liable for damages in any civil suit for injury to the person or property of another caused by the running at large thereof, without the knowledge of such owner or keeper, when such owner or keeper can establish that he used reasonable care in restraining such animals from so running at large.

(Source: P.A. 84‑28.)

(510 ILCS 55/3.1)

(from Ch. 8, par. 3.1)

Sec. 3.1.

Any person who violates this Act shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor. Each day of violation shall constitute a separate offense.

In the event the person who violates this Act is a corporation or partnership, any officer, director, manager or managerial agent of the partnership or corporation who violates this Section or causes the partnership or corporation to violate this Section shall be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor.

(Source: P.A. 84‑28.)

(510 ILCS 55/5.1)

(from Ch. 8, par. 5.1)

Sec. 5.1.

This Act shall be known and may be cited as the "Illinois Domestic Animals Running At Large Act".

(Source: P.A. 84‑28.)