Chicago Police DepartmentSpecial Order S04-12
Incidents Involving Animals
Issue Date:21 December 201229 January 2014Effective Date:21 December 201203 February 2014
Rescinds:05 September 200821 December 2012 version; S08-13
Index Category:Preliminary Investigations
I.Purpose
This directive:
  • A.identifies the functions and responsibilities of the City of Chicago Commission on Animal Care and Control (ACCCACC).
  • B.outlines procedures for inventorying animals.
  • C.establishes the required notifications when handling animal-related incidents.
  • D.discontinues the use of Animal Bite Information card (CPD-34.226).
  • E.introduces the use of the Cook County Animal & Rabies Control Animal Bite Report green card.
  • F.continues the use of the Legal Notice for the City of Chicago Municipal and State Violations Animal Seizure form (CPD-11.468).
  • G.continues the use of the Chicago Animal Care And Control Inventory form (ACC-3230-3).
II.General Information
  • A.Department members are responsible for enforcing the following laws relating to animals:
  • B.Department members will respond to animal bite incidents, situations where the immediate safety and well-being of a person is threatened by an animal, and reports of animal abuse, animal torture, or animal fighting.
  • C.The City of Chicago  Chicago Animal Care and Control has a staff member available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Animal control officers have the authority to enforce MCC Chapter 7-12 and are available to respond to emergency animal removal service requests. Department members requiring animal removal services will make requests via the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) zone dispatcher.
  • D.In every instance where an animal is seized by a Department member, the member will issue the Legal Notice for the City of Chicago Municipal and State Violations [ (CPD-11.468 (Rev. 11/12)].
    NOTE:
    If a stray animal is seized on private property, a notice must be issued even if a citizenthe person present denies ownership.
  • E.The following are approved shelters where Department members may, with a supervisor's approval, bring animals:
    • 1.  Chicago Animal Care and Control , (24 hour drop-off);
    • 2.  Animal Welfare League - Chicago , (0800 - 1900 hour drop-off);
    • 3.  Animal Welfare League - Chicago Ridge , (24 hour drop-off).
III.Animal Bite Incidents
  • A.Department members who are assigned to investigate animal bite incidents (regardless of whether the victim is human or animal) and other than incidents involving Department canines, will:
    • 1.arrange for the transportation of the victim to the nearest approved medical facility, if necessary.
    • 2.determine if the biter animal is in the care of the owner or keeper.
      • a.If it is not in the care of the owner or keeper, notify ACCCACC to remove the animal. If ACCCACC cannot respond in a timely manner, the animal will be inventoried.
      • b.If the animal is in the care of the owner or keeper, inform the owner or keeper that the animal must be examined by a veterinarian within twenty-four hours after the bite, and the animal must be impounded:
        • (21)inform the owner or keeper that the animal must be examined byat a veterinarian within twenty-four hours after the bite.animal hospital, or
        • (12)determineat the locationhome of impoundment:the owner or keeper, if currently vaccinated against rabies and directed to do so by the animals veterinarian, or
          • (3)at the Chicago Animal Care and Control facility.
      • 3.cite the animal owner or keeper for any Municipal Code violations using an Administrative Notice of Ordinance Violation (ANOV). Hearings will be scheduled according to the Court Citing Date Card for Misdemeanor and City Ordinances (CPD-11.562) using the officer's court key. Cases will be scheduled for a hearing date twenty-one to forty-nine days from the date of the violation.
      • 64.complete the legal notice if the animal is to be impounded under either state law or municipal ordinance. The animal inventory number will be recorded on the notice; therefore, members will contact, from the field, the district facility where the animal is to be inventoried and request the assignmenttop portion of an animal inventory numbera Cook County Animal & Rabies Control Animal Bite Report.
          NOTE:
          When the victim of an animal bite is a juvenile, members will only enter "Minor" in the Victim Information - Name section of the Cook County Animal & Rabies Control Animal Bite Report.
        • 5.notify the Alternate Response Section Administrative Desk by telephone and provide the information on the Animal Bite Information card. An animal bite report number will be issued, and the member will enter the animal bite report number and the name and badge / star number of the Alternate Response Section member notified on the Animal Bite Information card. The completed Animal Bite Information card will be retained in unit files in accordance with existing records-retention requirements.
        • 5.notify the  Alternate Response Section Administrative Desk by telephone, provide the information on the Cook County Animal & Rabies Control Animal Bite Report, including the full name of any juvenile animal bite victim, and receive an animal bite report number.
        • 76.ensureenter the animal, with ACCs copy bite report number and the name and badge / star number of the inventory form, is transported directly toAlternate Response Section member notified on the ACC facility. If the animal is destroyed, ensure that the head of the animal is preserved for rabies examinationCook County Animal & Rabies Control Animal Bite Report.
        • 7.deposit the completed top portion of the Cook County Animal & Rabies Control Animal Bite Report in a United States Postal Service mailbox or the Department mail.
          NOTE:
          The bottom portion of the completed Cook County Animal & Rabies Control Animal Bite Report will either be given to the owner or keeper of the biting animal or left at the owner's or keeper's residence or location of occurrence when the owner is not available.
        • 48.complete an Animal Bite Information card. All reasonable efforts will be made to determinewhen the animal owner's name and a descriptionis not in the care of the animal. This information will then be includedowner or keeper and CACC is unable to respond in the report.a timely manner:
          • a.notify his or her immediate supervisor;
          • b.determine if transportation can be accomplished safely and without incident;
          • c.when determined the transportation can be conducted safely, request authorization from his or her immediate supervisor to transport the live animal(s) to:
            • (1)the district station when there is a facility to hold the animal(s); or
            • (2)any of the three approved facilities listed in Item II-E of this directive.
          • d.ensure the animal, with CACC's copy of the inventory form, is transported with the animal to the approved holding facility or is attached to the cage holding the animal at the district station.
      • B.When the bitea biter animal is reportedto be seized by a Department member under either state law or municipal ordinance, the member will complete the Legal Notice for the City of Chicago Municipal and State Violations (CPD-11.468), and distribute the notice in a district other than the district of occurrencefollowing manner:
        • 2a.the district of occurrence will assign a member to complete the investigation upon receiptThe original (white part) of the Animal Bite Information card. The investigating officercompleted Legal Notice will ensurebe left at the residence or place of seizure stating that the provisions of Items III-A-2 through III-A-7 haveanimal has been completed along with the remaining portions of the Animal Bite Information card. This information will be provided to the ACC, by telephone, including the animal bite report number previously assigned to the incident. The investigating officer will note the name and badge/star number of the ACC person contacted on the Animal Bite Information cardseized.
        • b.The second copy (yellow part) will be attached to the CACC Inventory Form which is then attached to the district cage housing the animal or given to the animal control officer taking custody of the animal.
        • 1c.the assigned officerThe third copy (pink part) will completeaccompany the Animal Bite Information card in duplicate and obtain an animal bite number from the Alternate Response Section Administrative Desk. The officer will enter the number on each copy of thearrest report or other required report, forwardconsistent with the original to the district of occurrence, and submit the duplicate to his or her district review officerIncident Reporting Guide (CPD-63.451).
          NOTE:
          When there is an allegation that the biter animal was sick or diseased, the reporting officer will notify the station supervisor in the district of occurrence, by telephone, to ensure that an immediate follow-up investigation is initiated.
        NOTE:
        The animal inventory number will be recorded on the Legal Notice; therefore, members will contact, from the field, the district facility where the animal is to be inventoried and request the assignment of an animal inventory number.
      • DC.When the animal bite is reported in a person is bitten by a Department canine, followdistrict other than the procedures outlined in the Department directive entitled "Canine Teams."district of occurrence:
        • 1.the assigned officer will:
          • a.complete the Cook County Animal & Rabies Control Animal Bite Report and obtain an animal bite number from the Alternate Response Section Administrative Desk.
            NOTE:
            When there is an allegation that the biter animal was sick or diseased, the reporting officer will notify the station supervisor in the district of occurrence, by telephone, to request that an immediate follow-up investigation is initiated.
          • b.forward the Cook County Animal & Rabies Control Animal Bite Report to the review officer in the district of occurrence via Department mail.
        • 2.the review officer in the district of occurrence will, upon receipt of the original Cook County Animal & Rabies Control Animal Bite Report, notify the station supervisor of the required follow-up investigation.
        • 3.the station supervisor in the district of occurrence will, upon receipt of the Cook County Animal & Rabies Control Animal Bite Report, assign a member to complete the investigation.
        • 4.the investigating officer in the district of occurrence will ensure:
          • a.that the provisions in Items III-A-2 through III-A-8 and, when appropriate, III-B of this directive are followed.
          • b.all necessary information is provided to the CACC, by telephone, including the animal bite report number previously assigned to the incident.
          • c.the name and badge/star number of the CACC person contacted is noted on the Cook County Animal & Rabies Control Animal Bite Report.
      • CD.When a person is bitten by a private security-force guard dogDepartment canine, allfollow the procedures as outlined in Item III-A or Item III-B, as appropriate, will be followed.the Department directive entitled "Canine Teams."
      IV.Crimes Against Animals
      • A.Field personnel assigned to investigate animal abuse, animal torture, breeding animals for fighting, training animals for fighting, or animal fighting incidents will respond to the scene to conduct a preliminary investigation. If bonafide, members will:
        • 1.notify ACCCACC and request they respond to the scene to safely control and remove all animals involved.
          NOTE:
          If there are dead animals at the scene which may have evidentiary value, members will inform ACCCACC of that fact and request that they respond in a timely manner to take custody of the evidence. Members will not inventory dead animals.
          • 2.request an evidence technician to photograph the animal(s) and scene.
          • 3.notify the Animal Crimes Team (ACT), which may conduct a follow-up investigation. If there is evidence of crimes against animals, ACT will contact the TroubleTroubled Building Unit (TBU) withand provide the location where the incident occurred.
          • 4.complete a case report consistent with the Incident Reporting Guide. The report will indicate that an extra copies are to becopy is sent to the Animal Crimes Unit and to the Domestic Violence UnitTeam.
          • 65.completefollow the inventoryprocedures delineated in Item III-A-8 of the animal(s) as outlined in this directive when CACC is unable to respond.
          • 56.impound the animal(s) for a violation of the appropriate section of 510 or 720 Illinois Compiled Statutes Violationsviolations.
            • a.The member will:
              • (1)complete the appropriate Legal Notice for the City of Chicago Municipal and State Violations Animal Seizure form (CPD-11.468).
              • (2)contact, from the field, the district facility where the animal is to be inventoried, request an inventory number, and record that number on the notice.
            • b.The original copy(white part) will be left at the residence or place of seizure. The second copy (yellow part) will be attached to the ACCCACC Inventory Form which is then attached to the district cage housing the animal or given to the animal control officer or specially trained Department member taking custody of the animal. The third copy (pink part) will accompany the arrest report or other required report, consistent with the Incident Reporting Guide (CPD-63.451), as necessary.
          • 7.complete the inventory of the animal(s) as outlined in this directive.
        • B.If an arrest is made, the arresting officer will:
          • 1.charge the offender with a violation of the appropriate section of 510 or 720 Illinois Compiled Statutes Violations. The owner of the seized animal may relinquish possession of the animal by signing in the designated box on the ACCCACC inventory form. If the ownership of the animal has not been relinquished, the officer will record the following notation in the narrative of the Arrest Report: ANIMAL SEIZED, OWNERSHIP NOT RELINQUISHED; PETITION FOR FORFEITURE REQUESTED.
            NOTE:
            See the accompanyingDepartment directive entitled "Animal Care Statutes and Ordinance" for a list of specific charges relating to animals. The Chapter 510 offenses cover all animals, while the Chapter 720 offenses refer specifically to dog fighting, sexual contact/conduct with an animal, and the possession of unsterilized dogs by a felon.
          • 2.obtain the approval of the station supervisor in the district of arrest to notify and confer with the assistant statesstate's attorney assigned to the Felony Review Unit for approval of felony charges, if appropriate. Notification to the Bureau of Detectives is not necessary.
          • 3.notify ACCCACC or the OEMC dispatcherAlternate Response Section, 24 hours, of the court information for the arrested animal owner/keeper.
          • 4.obtain a court order for the disposition of the animal(s) and send the order to ACC via police mail, if present at the adjudication of the case. Members will keep a copy of the disposition order for their records.
        • C.Station Supervisor Duties
          When an arrest for a violation of 510 ILCS 70, 720 ILCS 5/48-1, 720 ILCS 5/12-35, or 720 ILCS 5/2612-536 is made, the station supervisor will:
          • 1.ensure that the required notation appears in the narrative of the Arrest Report if an animal is seized but ownership is not relinquished.
          • 2.follow current bonding procedures If the appropriate charge, however, is a Class A misdemeanor and the owner / keeper of the seized animal has not relinquished ownership, the station supervisor will not allow the offender to post bond nor be given an I-Bond. The arrestee will be sent to the first court call following the arrest for the court to set bond and the States Attorney's Office to file a petition for forfeiture of the animal(s) involved.
            NOTE:
            If the appropriate charge is a Class A misdemeanor and the owner/keeper of the seized animal has not relinquished ownership, the station supervisor will not allow the offender to post bond nor be given an I-Bond. The arrestee will be sent to the first court call following the arrest for the court to set bond and the State's Attorney's Office to file a petition for forfeiture of the animal(s) involved.
        V.Dead or Destroyed Animals
        • A.Department members observing or receivingresponding to a complaint of a dead animal will determine if the animal is evidence of criminal activity.
          • 1.If there is evidence of criminal activity, the member will complete the appropriate case report, request an evidence technician to photograph the animal, and, after photographing, request CACC removal of the animal through OEMC.
          • 2.If there is no evidence of criminal activity, the member will request Department of Streets and Sanitation removal of the animal through OEMC.
        • B.When other dispositions are impractical and a Department member uses a firearm to destroy a seriously injured or dangerous animal, the member will: follow the procedures delineated in the Department directive entitled, "Other Weapon Discharge Incidents."
          VI.Stray Animals
          • A.Complaints regarding stray animals will be directed to the 311 Non-Emergency City Service Request Telephone Number.
            NOTE:
            Per MCC 7-12-040, CACC will be responsible for impounding stray animals.
          • B.When a stray animal presents an immediate threat to the safety of any person, members will notify ACCCACC to apprehend the animal(s) and take other actions, as appropriate.
            NOTE:
            When it has been determined via OEMC confirmation that ACCCACC will be unable to respond or be unreasonably delayed in their response to an animal(s) posing an immediate danger to the public, Department members may request, through OEMC, the assistance of SWAT to apprehend the animal(s) and. Department members are authorized to take other actions, as appropriate, to address any articulable threat to the immediate safety and well-being of the public by an animal.
          • C.If a Department member determines thatWhen a stray animal canis captured by a responding member other than those specially trained, and CACC will be safely transported without incident, upon receiving authorization byunable to respond or be unreasonably delayed in their immediate supervisorresponse, the member may take custodywill follow the procedures delineated in Item III-A-8 of this directive prior to transporting the animal and transport it to an approved shelter.
          • D.Department members will ensure that the animal shelter name and inventory number is included in allany completed case reports, when appropriate.
          VII.District Animal Inventory
          • A.Members will only inventory live animals.:
            • 1.only inventory live animals as a last resort when other options are not feasible.
            • 2.immediately notify the Station Supervisor of any inventoried animal(s).
          • B.The purpose of inventorying animals is to:
            • 1.provide protection of evidence, and
            • 2.furnish the Department with a record of the actions involved in accepting or releasing animals.
              NOTE:
              Animals shouldwill be inventoried as a last resort and only if the animal can be secured in a locked facility.
          • C.Animals that are arrestee's property or stray animals will be inventoried in the district facility using the ACC Inventory Form (ACC-3230-3).
              NOTE:
              Biter or evidence animals will not be held at district facilities.
            • EC.The station supervisorAnimals will: be inventoried using the CACC Inventory Form (ACC-3230-3).
              • 1.The original (white) copy will be attached to the cage housing the animal and given to the CACC officer taking custody of the animal.
                NOTE:
                If the animal is turned over to the Animal Welfare League, the original will be mailed to CACC.
              • 42.renotify ACC atTo acknowledge receipt of the beginning of each shift if ananimal, the second (yellow) copy will be given to the owner or citizen that turned in the animal has not been picked up.
              • 3.ensure that the animal is provided with food and water if ACC personnel are unable to pick up the animal within a short period of time.
              • 13.ensure that the cage door is secured and the white and buff copies of the inventory form are attached to the doorThe third copy, Unit/District (pink) copy will be retained in district files consistent with record-retention requirements.
              • 24.ensure that ACC is notified andThe fourth copy, Kennel Record (buff hard) copy will be attached to the inventorieddoor of the cage holding the animal or will be given to personnel at the shelter which receives the animal (CACC or a private shelter). If the animal is picked up by ACC personnel. Inventoried animals should notdisposed of in any other manner, this copy will be in Department custody longer than eight hoursdestroyed.
            • D.Department members using district cages for animalsThe Station Supervisor will inform the station supervisor. :
              • 1.ensure that the cage door is secured and the white and buff copies of the inventory form are attached to the door.
              • 2.ensure that CACC is notified and the inventoried animal is picked up by CACC personnel. Inventoried animals should not be in Department custody longer than eight hours.
              • 3.ensure that the animal is provided with food and water if CACC personnel are unable to pick up the animal within a short period of time.
              • 4.renotify CACC at the beginning of each shift if an animal has not been picked up.
            (Items indicated by italic/double underline were added or revised)
            Authenticated by: JKH
            Garry F. McCarthy
            Superintendent of Police
            12 13-118069 TRH
            PHONE BOOK:
            1.
            Animal Care and Control (ACC)
            2741 S. Western Ave Chicago, IL 60608
            312-747-1406
            Fax: 312-747-1409
            Animal intake from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m., 365 days a year. (After hours, please call 311)
            12.
            Animal Care and Control (ACC)
            2741 S. Western Ave Chicago, IL 60608
            312-747-1406
            Fax: 312-747-1409
            Animal intake from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m., 365 days a year. (After hours, please call 311)
            23.
            Animal Care and Control (ACC)Welfare League - Chicago
            27416224 S. WesternWabash Ave Chicago, IL 6060860637-2128
            312773-747667-14060088
            Fax: 312-747-1409
            Animal intake from 7 a.m. until 11 p.m., 365 days a year. (After hours, please call 311)0800 - 1900 hour drop-off
            34.
            Animal Welfare League - Chicago Ridge
            6224 S. Wabash Ave10305 Southwest Highway Chicago Ridge, IL 6063760415-21281470
            773708-667636-00888586
            0800 - 190024 hour drop-off
            45.
            Animal Welfare League - Chicago RidgeAlternate Response Section
            10305 Southwest Highway Chicago Ridge, IL 60415-1470
            708-636-8586PAX 4031
            24 hour drop-off
            ADDENDA:
            1.S04-12-01 - Animal Care Statutes and Ordinance