{"data":{"id":"us-il/510-ilcs-5-15.5","jurisdiction":"us-il","citation":"510 ILCS 5/15.5","heading":"Reckless dog owner; complaint; penalty.","body":"(a) The Administrator, State's Attorney, Director, or any citizen may file a complaint in circuit court to determine whether a person is a reckless dog owner. If an owner is determined to be a reckless dog owner by clear and convincing evidence, the court shall order the immediate impoundment and forfeiture of all dogs the reckless dog owner has a property right in. Forfeiture may be to any licensed shelter, rescue, or sanctuary. The court shall further prohibit the property right ownership of a dog by the person determined to be a reckless dog owner for a period of at least 12 months, but not more than 36 months for the first reckless dog owner determination.\n(a-5) A dog's history during ownership by a person found to be a reckless dog owner shall not be considered conclusive of the dog's temperament and qualification for adoption or transfer. The dog's temperament shall be independently evaluated by a person qualified to conduct behavioral assessments and, if the dog is deemed adoptable, the receiving facility shall make a reasonable attempt to place the dog in another home, transfer the dog to rescue, or place the dog in a sanctuary.\n(b) A person who refuses to forfeit a dog under this Section is in violation which carries a public safety fine of $500 for each dog. The fine shall be deposited into the Pet Population Control Fund. Each day a person fails to comply with a forfeiture or prohibition ordered under this Section shall constitute a separate offense.","path":["CHAPTER 510 ANIMALS","Animal Control Act."],"source_url":"https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ILCS/details?ActID=1704\u0026ChapterID=41\u0026ChapAct=FullText\u0026Print=True","current_through":"at least Public Act 104-790","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-15T04:46:38Z","sha256":"59c9f987501e3890c587bdedcc0df80e6ec1e50af3324505dad85781767313b8","source_id":"us-il","stale":false,"prev":"us-il/510-ilcs-5-15.4","next":"us-il/510-ilcs-5-16"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}