Village Pet Ordinance - Fines 5.17.21

Oct 13, 2026

Ordinance text amending the Western Springs Municipal Code to strengthen animal regulations within the village. It incorporates findings and approves code amendments, including vaccination requirements against rabies for dogs, cats, ferrets, or other susceptible animals by licensed veterinarians, with annual compliance and proof through standard tags and certificates. It also defines leash requirements and prohibits running at large, outlining exceptions and processing rules, and includes repeal, severability, and enforcement provisions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages5

Reading Time2 min

AccessFree to download

Section 1

Section 2

Vaccination Against Rabies (6-2-5)

Section 3

Leash Definition (6-2-1)

Section 4

Running At Large Prohibited (6-2-9)

Section 5

Section 6

Section 7

Section 8

Trustees of the Village of Western Springs find that the below Code Amendments are inthe best interests of the Village,its residents and the public and approve the CodeAmendments as set forth below. NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT ORDAINED BY THE PRESIDENT AND BOARD OFTRUSTEES OF THE VILLAGE OF WESTERN SPRINGS,COOK COUNTY,ILLINOIS,AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1:The above recitals are incorporated by reference into Section 1 ofthis Ordinance as material terms and provisions. SECTION 2:Title 6(Police Regulations),Chapter 2(Animals),Section 6-2-5(Vaccination Against Rabies)of the Western Springs Municipal Code of 1997,asamended,shall be further amended in its entirety as follows: “6-2-5:VACCINATION AGAINST RABIES: The owner or keeper of a dog,cat or ferret or other animal capable ofbeing infected with rabies,except for animal shelters,animal impoundingfacilities and laboratory animal facilities shall have such animal vaccinatedagainst rabies by a licensed veterinarian at four(4)months of age andannually thereafter or as required by state law and Cook Countyordinance.Evidence of vaccination shall be the standard vaccination tagand certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian.It shall be unlawful tokeep or harbor in the village an animal that has not been vaccinatedagainst rabies for the current year.Any animal placed in a holding facilityshall not be released until vaccination against rabies has beenaccomplished." SECTION 3:The definition of "LEASH"contained in Title 6(Police Regulations)Chapter 2(Animals).Section 6-2-1(Definitions)of the Western Springs Municipal Codeof 1997,as amended,shall be further amended to read in its entirety as follows: "LEASH:A cord,thong,rope,strap or chain which shall be securelyfastened to the collar or harness of a dog or other animal and shall be ofsufficient strength to keep such dog or other animal under control." SECTION 4:Title 6(Police Regulations),Chapter 2(Animals),Section 6-2-9(Running At Large Prohibited)of the Western Springs Municipal Code of 1997,asamended,shall be further amended to read in its entirety as follows: “6-2-9:RUNNING AT LARGE PROHIBITED: All running at large of dogs,cats and other domesticated animals isprohibited.The provisions of this subsection shall not apply toprofessionally trained dogs or other animals used for law enforcement purposes.Running at large is defined in this chapter to mean that theanimal is off the premises of its owner or keeper and not under restraint ofa competent person.An animal is under restraint within the meaning ofthis chapter if it is on its owner's or keeper's premises in a fenced yard oron a leash Any dog or cat or other domesticated animal running at largeshall be processed as hereinafter provided.Absent express authority ofthe governing public body,no dogs or cats or other domesticated animalsshall be permitted to run at large as follows: A.Parks:In parks lying within the boundaries of the Western Springs parkdistrict. B.School Areas:On land owned by public school districts and lying withinthe boundaries of the village. C.Near Public Buildings:On public grounds adjacent to buildings ownedby the village." SECTION 5:All ordinances.or parts of ordinances,in conflict with the provisionsof this Ordinance.to the extent of such conflict.are repealed. SECTION 6:Each section,paragraph,clause and provision of this Ordinance isseparable and if any provision is held unconstitutional or invalid for any reason,suchdecision shall not affect the remainder of this Ordinance,nor any part thereof,otherthan that part affected by such decision. SECTION 7:Except as to the Code amendments set forth above in thisOrdinance,all Chapters and Sections of the Western Springs Municipal Code of 1997as amended.shall remain in full force and effect SECTION 8:This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after itspassage,approval and publication as provided by State law. PASSED bv the Board of Trustees of the Village of Western Springs,CookCo

FAQs

What are the rabies vaccination requirements for pet animals under this ordinance?

Owners or keepers must vaccinate dogs, cats, ferrets, or other susceptible animals against rabies by a licensed veterinarian at four months of age and annually thereafter or as required by state law and Cook County ordinance.

What evidence is required to show an animal has been vaccinated against rabies?

Evidence must be the standard vaccination tag and certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian.

What does the ordinance define as “running at large,” and what restrictions apply?

Running at large means the animal is off the premises of its owner or keeper and not under restraint of a competent person; the ordinance prohibits running at large, with specific exceptions such as professionally trained law-enforcement animals and outlined locations like parks and school areas.

Oct 13, 2026

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