SB3264 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB097 16730 CEL 61904 b

97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2011 and 2012
SB3264

Introduced 2/1/2012, by Sen. Heather A. Steans

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

New Act
720 ILCS 585/Act rep.

Creates the Dangerous Animals Act of 2012. Identifies a class of animals that qualify as dangerous animals. Provides that a person must hold a Dangerous Animal Permit or a Limited Entry Permit to possess a dangerous animal in the State. Sets forth requirements that must be met before the Department of Natural Resources may issue a Dangerous Animal Permit or a Limited Entry Permit. Provides for the suspension of permit privileges and the revocation of permits. Requires certain records to be kept by the possessors of a dangerous animal. Sets forth additional prohibitions related to the keeping and transport of dangerous animals. Sets forth penalties for violations of this Act. Sets forth provisions related to civil liability and immunity. Provides for the seizure and forfeiture of dangerous animals and equipment under certain circumstances. Creates the Dangerous Animal Advisory Committee to review periodically the list of dangerous animals. Exempts certain individuals and institutions from the requirements of the Act. Repeals the Illinois Dangerous Animal Act.

CORRECTIONAL BUDGET AND IMPACT NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

FISCAL NOTE ACT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning animals.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the Dangerous Animals Act of 2012.

Section 5. Definitions. As used in this Act, unless the context clearly requires otherwise:

"Authorized law enforcement officer" means all sworn members of the Law Enforcement Division of the Department and those persons specifically granted law enforcement authorization by the Director.

"Dangerous animal" means any of the following live animals or hybrids of the following live animals, whether bred in the wild or in captivity:

(1) Members of the Felidae family, including, but not limited to, lions, tigers, cougars, leopards, bobcats, lynx, cheetahs, margays, ocelots, and servals, but not including cats or cats recognized as a domestic breed, registered as a domestic breed, or shown as a domestic breed by a national or international cat registry association.

(2) Members of the Canidae family, including, but not limited to, wolves, coyotes (except as provided in the Wildlife Code), jackals, dingos, maned wolves (Chrysocyon brachyurus), raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides), African hunting dogs (Lycaon pictus), wolf-dog hybrids, South American bush dogs (Speothos venaticus), pariah-type feral dogs, Indian wild dogs, and dhole (Cuon alpinus), but not including dogs or dogs recognized as a domestic breed, registered as a domestic breed, or shown as a domestic breed by a national or international dog registry association.

(3) All members of the Ursidae family, including, but not limited to, black and grizzly bears.

(4) All members of the Hyaenidae family, including, but not limited to, all species of hyenas and aardwolves.

(5) All members of the Elephantidae family, including all species of elephants.

(6) All members of the Rhinocerotidae family, including all species of rhinoceros.

(7) All members of the Hippopotamidae family, includes all species of hippopotamus.

(8) All members of the Viverridae family, including, but not limited to, all species of civets, genets, linsangs, mongooses, and meerkats.

(9) All members of the Macropodidae family, including, but not limited to, all species of kangaroos and wallabies.

(10) Coatimundi of the genera Nasua or Nasuella as well as other certain members of the Procyonidae family and any others that the Department designates, by administrative rule, as outlined or deemed medically significant.

(11) Non-human primates, including, but not limited to, all members of the Pongidae family, such as gibbons, orangutans, chimpanzees, siamangs, and gorillas; members of the Cercopithecidae family, such as macaques, mandrills, and baboons; members of the Cebidae family, such as capuchin monkeys, spider monkeys, marmosets, and howler monkeys; members of the Colobinae family, such as langurs and colobus monkeys; and members of the Lemuridae family, including all lemurs.

(12) All members of the Order Chiroptera, including all species of bats.

(13) Rats and mice of the genus Praomys, including multimammate rats from the subgenus Mastomys, such as Gambian pouched rats; porcupines; and prairie dogs.

(14) Venomous reptiles, regardless of whether they have been surgically altered, including, but not limited to, venomous species of the following families or genera of the order Squamata: Helodermatidae, such as gila monsters and beaded lizards; Elapidae, such as cobras and coral snakes; Hydrophiidae, such as sea snakes; Viperidae and Crotalinae, such as vipers and pit vipers; Atractaspididae, such as burrowing asps; as well as colubrids such as the: Alsophis, such as the West Indian racers; Boiga, such as boigas and mangrove snakes; Conophis such as road guarders; Dispholidus, such as Boomslang; Hydrodynastes, such as false water cobras; Hemirhagerrhis, such as bark snakes; Macropisthodon, such as varied or hooded keelbacks; Madagascarophis, such as Madagascar common snakes; Malpolon, such as Montpellier snakes; Mimophis, such as Mahafaly sand snakes; Phalotris, such as collared snakes; Philodryas, such as palm snakes or green racers; Psammophis, such as sand snakes or racers; Psammophylax, such as skaapstekers; Rhabdophis, such as keelbacks; Rhamphiophis, such as beaked snakes; Tachymenis, such as slender snakes or false vipers; Thelotornis, such as Twig snakes; Thrasops, such as black tree snakes; Tomodon, such as Pampas snakes; Waglerophis, such as Wagler's snakes; Xenodon, such as false fer-de-lances; Boiga irregularis, including specimens or eggs of the brown tree snake; and any others that the Department designates, by administrative rule, as outlined or deemed medically significant.

(15) All members of the Boidae family, such as boas, pythons, and anacondas as provided by the Department by administrative rule.

(16) All members of the order Crocodilia, such as crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and gavials; members of the Varanidae family, such as Nile, water, and crocodile monitors as well as Komodo dragons.

(17) Medically significant poisonous amphibians capable of causing bodily harm to humans or animals, including, but not limited to, Bufo marinus, such as cane or marine toads, and Bufo alvarius, such as Colorado River toads.

(18) Dangerously venomous arachnids and insects including, but not limited to, all scorpions of the family Buthidae; the genus Nebo; and any others that the Department, by administrative rule, designates; spiders, including, but not limited to, the genera Atrax, such as funnel-web spiders; Chiracanthium, such as sac spiders; Gorgyrella, such as African trapdoor spiders; Hadronyche, such as funnel-web spiders; Latrodectus, such as widow spiders; Loxosceles, such as recluse spiders; Macrothele, such as funnel-web spiders; Missulena, such as mouse spiders; Phoneutria, such as Brazilian wandering or huntsman spiders; Sicarius, such as six-eyed crab spiders; Steatoda, such as false black widows; centipedes, including, but not limited to, the genera Scolopendra and Strigamia; and any others that the Department, by administrative rule, designates or deems medically significant.

(19) Other animals that the Director, after consulting with the Dangerous Animal Advisory Council, designates, by administrative rule, as dangerous animals.

(20) Any individual animal identified by an authorized law enforcement officer, which is not specifically listed but deemed dangerous by the Circuit Court based on the actions of the animal and that poses a threat to human safety.

"Department" means the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

"Director" means the Director of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources.

"Person" means any individual, partnership, corporation, organization, trade or professional association, firm, limited liability company, joint venture, or group.

"Possessor" means any person who owns, possesses, keeps, harbors, brings into the State, cares for, acts as a custodian for, has in his or her custody or control, or holds a property right to a dangerous animal.

"Medically significant" means a venomous or poisonous species whose venom or toxin can cause illness in humans and requires medical attention; Usually such species are categorized as being "medically significant" or "medically important".

"Wildlife sanctuary" means any non-profit organization that:

(1) is exempt from taxation under the Internal Revenue Code;

(2) is accredited by the Association of Sanctuaries (TAOS);

(3) operates a place of refuge where exotic animals are provided care for their lifetime or released back to their natural habitat;

(4) does not conduct activities on animals in its possession that are not inherent to the animal's nature,

(5) does not use animals in its possession for entertainment;

(6) does not sell, trade, or barter animals in its possession or parts of those animals; and

(7) does not breed animals in its possession.

Section 10. Permit requirements.

(a) Prior to any person obtaining a Dangerous Animal Permit, the following criteria must be met:

(1) the person was in legal possession and is the legal possessor of the dangerous animal prior to the effective date of this Act;

(2) the person applies for and is granted a personal possession permit for each dangerous animal in the person's possession within 30 days after the enactment of this Act; and

(3) prior to acquiring a dangerous animal, the person must provide the name, address, date of birth, permit number, telephone number of the possessor, type or species and the date the animal is to be acquired.

(b) The applicant must comply with all requirements of this Act and the rules adopted by the Department to obtain a permit. Prior to the issuance of the permit, the applicant must provide proof of liability insurance in the amount of $100,000 for each dangerous animal up to a maximum of $1,000,000 and the insurance is to be maintained during the term of the permit.

(c) An applicant for a Dangerous Animal Permit must file an application with the Department on a form provided by the Department. The application must include all information and requirements as set forth by administrative rule.

(d) The annual fee for a residential Dangerous Animal Permit shall be $250. All fees shall be deposited into the Fish and Wildlife Fund.

(e) The Department may issue a Limited Entry Permit to an applicant who: (i) is not a resident of the State; (ii) complies with the requirements of this Act and all rules adopted by the Department under the authority of this Act; (iii) provides proof to the Department that he or she will, during the entirety of the permit term, maintain sufficient liability insurance coverage; (iv) pays to the Department along with each application for a Limited Entry Permit a $100 fee, which the Department shall deposit into the Fish and Wildlife Fund; and (v) uses the animal for an activity authorized in the Limited Entry Permit.

A Limited Entry Permit shall be valid for not more than 30 consecutive days unless extended by the Department, however, no extension shall be longer than 15 days.

(f) Each Dangerous Animal Permit is valid for one year after the day on which it is issued by the Department. The Department shall adopt, by administrative rule, procedures for the renewal of Dangerous Animal Permits.

Section 15. Suspension and revocation of permits.

(a) A person who does not hold a Dangerous Animal Permit or Limited Entry Permit and who violates a provision of this Act or an administrative rule authorized under this Act shall have his or her permit revoked and privileges under this Act suspended for 5 years from the date that he or she is convicted of an initial offense, for 10 years from the date that he or she is convicted of a second offense, and for life for a third offense.

(b) A person who holds a Dangerous Animal Permit or Limited Entry Permit and who violates the provisions of this Act shall have his or her permit revoked and permit privileges under this Act suspended for a period of 2 years from the date that he or she is convicted of an initial offense, for 10 years from the date that he or she is convicted of a second offense, and for life for a third offense.

(c) All fines and penalties with the exception of any special assessments shall be deposited into the Fish and Wildlife Fund. Special assessments shall be deposited and distributed according to the Circuit Court.

(h) A person whose privileges to possess a dangerous animal have been suspended or revoked may appeal that decision in accordance with the provisions for appealing suspensions and revocations under Section 20-105 of Fish and Aquatic Life Code and Section 3.36 of the Wildlife Code.

Section 20. Record keeping requirements. A person who possesses a dangerous animal must maintain records pertaining to the acquisition, possession, and disposition of the animal as provided by administrative rule. These records shall be maintained for a minimum of 2 years after the date the animal is no longer in possession of the permit holder. All records are subject to inspection by authorized law enforcement officers.

In addition to maintaining records, all dangerous animals must be either pit-tagged or micro-chipped to individually identify them and the pit-tag or microchip numbers are also to be maintained as other pertinent records.

Section 25. Injury to a member of the public by a dangerous animal. A person who possesses a dangerous animal without complying with the requirements of this Act and the rules adopted under the authority of this Act and whose dangerous animal physically attacks a person when the possessor knew or should have known that the animal had a propensity, when provoked or unprovoked, to attack, cause injury to, or otherwise substantially endanger a member of the public is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. A person who fails to comply with the provisions of this Act and the rules adopted under the authority of this Act and who intentionally or knowingly allows a dangerous animal to cause great bodily harm to, or the death of, a human is guilty of a Class 4 felony.

Section 30. Prohibited acts.

(a) Except as otherwise provided in this Act, a person shall not own, possess, keep, import, transfer, sell, purchase, harbor, bring into the State, breed, or have in his or her custody or control a dangerous animal.

(b) A person shall not release a dangerous animal into the wild at any time unless authorized by the Director.

(c) The possessor of a dangerous animal must immediately contact the animal control authority or law enforcement agency of the city or county where the possessor resides if a dangerous animal escapes or is released either intentionally or unintentionally.

(d) The possessor of a dangerous animal shall not keep, harbor, care for, transport, act as the custodian of, or maintain in his or her possession a dangerous animal in anything other than an escape-proof enclosure.

(e) The possessor of a dangerous animal shall not transport the animal to or possess the animal at a public venue, commercial establishment, retail establishment, or educational institution unless specifically authorized by permit or required to render veterinary care to the animal.

(f) The possessor of a dangerous animal, at all reasonable times, shall not deny the Department or its designated agents and officers access to premises where the possessor keeps a dangerous animal to ensure compliance with this Act.

(g) A person shall not buy, sell, or barter, or offer to buy, sell, or barter a dangerous animal.

A violation of this subsection is subject to the penalties outlined in Sections 5-25 or 15-50 of the Fish and Aquatic Life Code or Section 2.36 of the Wildlife Code. For the purposes of the value of a species, no dangerous animal shall be valued at less than $250 or fair market value, whichever is greater.

Section 35. Penalties.

(a) A person who violates subsection (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), or (f) of Section 30 of this Act is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor for a first offense and a Class 4 felony for a second or subsequent offense occurring within one year after conviction of a first offense.

(b) A person who violates Section 20 is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor.

(c) Each day of a violation constitutes a separate offense.

(d) All fines and penalties shall be deposited into the Fish and Wildlife Fund.

Section 40. Civil liability and immunity.

(a) If a dangerous animal escapes or is released, the owner or possessor of the animal is liable for all costs incurred in apprehending and confining the animal.

(b) An animal control officer, law enforcement officer, or Department employee acting in his or her official capacity is not liable to any party in connection with the escape or release of a dangerous animal, including liability for any damage, injury, or death caused by or to the animal during or after the animal's escape or release or as a result of the apprehension or confinement of the animal after its escape or release.

(c) A licensed veterinarian who may have cause to treat an animal that is in violation of this Act shall not be held liable under this Act provided that the veterinarian (i) promptly reports violations of this Act of which he or she has knowledge to a law enforcement agency within 24 hours after becoming aware of the incident; (ii) provides the name, address, and phone number of the person possessing the animal at time of incident or treatment; (iii) provides the name and address of the owner of the animal if known; (iv) identifies the kind and number of animals being treated; and (v) describes the reason for the treatment of the animal.

Section 45. Seizure and forfeiture.

(a) If any person is found to possesses a dangerous animal that is not in compliance with the provisions of this Act, including any administrative rules, then the dangerous animal and any equipment or items used contrary to this Act shall be subject to seizure and forfeiture by the Department. Any dangerous animal seized in violation of this Act may immediately be placed in a facility approved by the Department.

(b) If a person's dangerous animal has been seized by the Department, then the possessor of the dangerous animal is liable for the reasonable costs associated with the seizure, placement, testing, and care for the dangerous animal from the time of confiscation until the time the animal is relocated to an approved facility or person holding a valid Dangerous Animal Permit or is otherwise disposed of by the Department.

(c) Any dangerous animal and related items found abandoned shall become the property of the Department and disposed of according to Department rule.

(d) The Circuit Court, in addition to any other penalty, may award any seized of confiscated dangerous animals or items to the Department as provided for in Section 1-215 of the Fish and Aquatic Life Code and Section 1.25 of the Wildlife Code. Further, the Court, in addition to any other penalty, may assess a fee upon anyone who pleads guilty to the provisions of this Act equal to the amount established or determined to maintain the dangerous animal until it is permanently placed in a facility approved by the Department or otherwise disposed of.

(e) All fines and penalties, except court assessments, collected under the authority of this Section shall be deposited into the Fish and Wildlife Fund. Court assessments shall be deposited and distributed by order of the Circuit Court.

Section 50. Dangerous Animal Advisory Council. The Dangerous Animal Advisory Council is hereby created to assist the Director in reviewing the Department's list of dangerous animals and in making additions to that list. The Dangerous Animal Advisory Council shall be composed of the following members:

(1) the Director or his or her designee;

(2) one member from the Office of Law Enforcement, appointed by the Director;

(3) one member from the Division of Natural Heritage, appointed by the Director;

(4) one member from the Division of Wildlife Resources, appointed by the Director;

(5) one member from the Division of Fisheries, appointed by the Director;

(6) one member from the Department of Agriculture, appointed by the Director of Agriculture; and

(7) one member from the Department of Public Health, appointed by the Director of Public Health.

The purpose and function of the Council shall be set forth by administrative rule.

Section 60. Exemptions.

(a) When acting in their official capacity, the following entities and their agents are exempt from the requirements of this Act:

(1) public zoos or aquaria accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association;

(2) licensed veterinary hospitals and clinics;

(3) wildlife sanctuaries;

(4) accredited research or medical institutions;

(5) licensed or accredited educational institutions;

(6) circuses licensed and in compliance with the Animal Welfare Act and all rules adopted by the Department of Agriculture;

(7) federal, State, and local law enforcement officers, including animal control officers acting under the authority of this Act;

(8) members of federal, State, or local agencies approved by the Department; and

(9) any bonafide wildlife rehabilitation facility licensed or otherwise authorized by the Department.

(b) This Act does not prohibit a person who is permanently disabled with a severe mobility impairment from possessing a single capuchin monkey to assist the person in performing daily tasks if:

(1) the capuchin monkey was obtained from and trained at a licensed nonprofit organization described in Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, the nonprofit tax status of which was obtained on the basis of a mission to improve the quality of life of severely mobility-impaired individuals; and

(2) the Department is notified once the capuchin monkey is placed with a permanently disabled person.

(720 ILCS 585/Act rep.)

Section 90. The Illinois Dangerous Animals Act is repealed.