DECATUR - In the nearly three months that have passed since the Macon County Board passed a stricter animal control ordinance, only one multiple pet license and one breeder license have been issued.

Applications for the licenses should pick up, however, as the county begins enforcing the new ordinance Wednesday.

The ordinance applies only to people living in areas of the county outside any village or city.

"We're going to start out issuing warnings and giving people time to comply with the newer portions of the law," said Sheriff's Lt. Bill Hotwick, county animal control administrator. "This is not about financially hurting anybody."

Indeed, the new licenses are free but the fines for violating the animal control ordinance have been increased - up from $35 for all violations to $75 for the first, $150 for the second and $200 for the third and subsequent violations.

New license requirements apply to any person breeding dogs or cats and also to pet owners who keep eight or more cats and/or dogs on the premises and who are not licensed by the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

They call for breeding females to be healthy, current on vaccinations and bred only once a year and for offspring to be at least 8 weeks old and have their first set of vaccinations before they are transferred to a new owner. They also require inspections of multiple-pet households upon receipt of a complaint from an identified complainant.

Also new is a prohibition against allowing animals to become a nuisance by substantially damaging property or making excessive noise, among other things, or to run loose in residential areas.

People must also report to Macon County Animal Control within 48 hours any stray domestic animal they are keeping.

Animal Control Director Kris Horton said she has fielded a few questions about the changes and given out some license applications, but not many have come back.

The county board approved a new animal control ordinance April 9, after which Animal Control officials decided to wait 90 days to begin enforcing the new provisions.

INFORMATION

Go to www.sheriff-macon-il.us/Animal_Control.html or call the Macon County Animal Control and Care Center at 425-4508.

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