Section 30.150  Claim for Loss of Animals or Poultry Killed or Injured by Dogs

a)         An owner making claim for loss of animals or poultry killed or injured by dogs shall report such loss to the Administrator within 24 hours after such loss occurs, shall have not less than 2 witnesses who are freeholders of the county substantiate such loss within 48 hours after the loss occurs, and shall appear before a member of the County Board within 7 days after such loss to make affidavit.

b)         The Administrator or the person designated by him shall make an investigation, shall observe the animals in question, and shall visit the site where the animals were killed or injured. If the investigator is not a veterinarian and cannot confirm such claim to be valid, then the Administrator or a veterinarian designated by the Administrator shall examine the animals or poultry and make written report to be filed with the County Treasurer as to the cause of death. If such report does not substantiate loss caused by dogs, the claim shall be denied by the Board.

c)         Applications used in making claims for damages for animals or poultry killed or injured by dogs shall be on such forms as prescribed by the Department. Such forms shall include the amount of claim, the amount paid for each claim, the number and kind of animals or poultry killed or injured by dogs, and whether such animals were grade, or crossbred, hybrid, inbred, and purebred animals registered with an appropriate breed association or organization. In the case of animals registered with an appropriate breed association or organization, the owner shall surrender such certificate of registry to the county. A copy of such certificate shall be maintained in the county records and the original certificate of registry shall be immediately forwarded to the appropriate breed association or organization for cancellation. Claim forms shall be available from the Administrator, County Treasurer, Board members, and other county officials designated by the Board.

d)         All costs for the 2 witnesses to substantiate claims for loss of animals or poultry shall be paid by the owner of such animals or poultry. The Administrator or veterinarian requested by the Administrator to examine animals or poultry for which a claim has been made shall be paid from the Animal Control Fund if such loss is determined to be caused by dogs. If such veterinarian determines that the loss is due to some other cause, the cost of his services shall be borne by the claimant.

e)         For the purpose of this rule, poultry means chickens, ducks, and geese, and shall not include domestic rabbits, guinea fowl, peafowl, pigeons, pheasants, quail, and waterfowl covered by Federal or State game codes. Also, for the purpose of this rule, animals other than goats, cattle, horses, mules, swine, sheep, and poultry as defined in this rule, even though kept in captivity, are not eligible for payment under Section 19 of the Animal Control Act.

(Source:  Amended at 16 Ill. Reg. 11751, effective July 8, 1992)