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BERWYN POLICE ANIMAL CONTROL







Mission Statement
The Mission of The Berwyn Police Animal Control Department is to provide safe, humane shelter for stray, abused and impounded animals in accordance with local and state regulations.  This department is responsible for assuring the timely and effective enforcement of the City of Berwyn’s ordinances and when applicable, state laws.  The department’s endeavor is to protect the public’s health and safety from dangerous, sick or injured animals and to educate the public on proper pet care, animal safety, and responsible pet ownership.

Animal Control
Animal Services

  • Barking Dog Complaints
  • Investigation of Animal Bites
  • Investigate Reports of Animal Cruelty and Neglect
  • Lost and Found Animals
  • Loose Animals, Stray Dogs
  • Pick up Lost, Stray and Homeless Animals as well as Sick or Injured Wildlife 
  • Issues Concerning Pets
  • Trap-Loan Program for Stray Cats and Removal of Wildlife in the Living Quarters of a Residence (this does NOT include attics, crawlspaces, window wells, sheds or garages).

    • Animals Found/Running at Large
    Domestic

  • Check lost reports for a possible match
  • Scanned for a microchip
  • Check with other local agencies for information
  • The animal will be held for five(5) days for an owner to reclaim. Any unclaimed animals will be relinquished to the Illinois Citizens Animal Welfare League.
  • An animal may be placed through the Animal Welfare League dependent upon its health and temperament.

    • Wildlife

  • Wildlife may be transported to  Willowbrook  Wildlife Center for treatment
  • The animal may be euthanized due to the extent of its injuries
  • A local rehabilitator may acquire orphan wildlife to raise and release
  • Feral cats will be relinquished to the Illinois Citizens Animal Welfare League.

    • Aggressive/Dangerous Dog Declaration
    “Aggressive Dog” means any dog deemed running at large and without provocation, chases or approaches and person in an apparent attitude of attack, on any public or in any place outside or over the boundaries of its owner’s property, and where such dog as been declared aggressive by the Chief of Police after a review of the facts in each case.

    In the event any dog is deemed running at large and without provocation, chases or approaches any person in an apparent attitude of attack, on any public property or in any place outside or over the boundaries of its owners property, such dog may be declared aggressive by the Chief of Police after a review of the facts in each case. 

    Once a dog has been declared aggressive, notice of such declaration shall be served upon the owner of record within three (3) days following the aggressive dog declaration. 

    Upon receipt of notice of Aggressive Dog Declaration the owner may request a hearing regarding such determination by providing written notice to the Chief of Police within five (5) days following the receipt of the Aggressive Dog Declaration.  Upon receipt by the Chief of Police, the request for a hearing shall be forwarded to the Mayor or his administrative hearing before the Mayor or his designee.  The determination of the Mayor or his designee is final.

    In the event any dog is declared aggressive, the owner, within ten (10) business days of the declaration, must produce and maintain in effect liability insurance, including coverage of claims arising from conduct of the owner’s animal, in an amount not less then $100,000.  The insurance shall include a provision whereby the City is a holder of the policy and such policy shall not be allowed to expire or be canceled without at least thirty (30) days notice to the City and the Chief of Police.  Additionally, any dog declared aggressive must, while off the owner’s property, be muzzled and restrained by a substantial chain or leash, not exceeding four (4) feet in length. 

    It shall be unlawful for any person to have, keep, maintain or have in his or her possession or control within the corporate limits of any dangerous animal, as defined in the above sections.

    No dog shall be determined to be dangerous until a Dangerous Dog Declaration has been issued by the Chief of Police after a review of the facts in each case.  Once a Dog has been declared dangerous, notice of such declaration shall be served upon the owner of the record within three (3) days following the Dangerous Dog Declaration. 

    Upon receipt of notice Dangerous of Dangerous Dog Declaration, the owner may request a hearing regarding such determination by providing written notice to the Chief of Police with in five days following receipt of Dangerous Dog Declaration.  Upon receipt by the Chief of Police, the request for a hearing shall be forwarded to the Mayor for the scheduling of an administrative hearing before the Mayor or his designee.  The determination of the Mayor or his designee is final. 

    Deceased Animals

  • Deceased wildlife, stray cat or dog is in the roadway or on private property please call the City of Berwyn Communications Center at (708) 795-5600.
  • It will be the homeowner’s responsibility for removal of deceased pets on private property. A veterinarian can be contacted for disposal or cremation.

    Pet Licensing

    Berwyn City Ordinance 616.07 (b) states, Every person who owns, keeps or harbors a dog or cat in the City shall register the same with the City Collector and pay to the Collector annually, or upon acquiring a dog or cat not previously registered, an annual license fee of five dollars ($5.00) per animal.

    The Collector shall not issue a license for a dog or cat until the owner or keeper thereof produces satisfactory evidence to the Collector that such dog or cat has been vaccinated against rabies by a qualified veterinarian within the preceding twelve months.

    • Reasons to Licenses Your Pet

  • Contact on nights, weekends, and holidays via a home phone number or emergency number, if someone finds your lost pet
  • A license tells everyone that your pet is not a homeless stray
  • Berwyn Animal Control will call you or send you a letter, if your pet comes to the shelter wearing a license
  • It provides emergency medical care for your pet, while in the custody of the City

    • Where to Pay for a Pet License

  • Berwyn Police Department, 6401 W 31st Street
    Hours: Monday, Wednesday Friday 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    Tuesday, Thursday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • City Hall Collections Department, 6700 w 26th Street
    Hours: Monday thru Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

    • What is Rabies?
    Rabies is a deadly disease caused by a virus that attacks the central nervous system. The virus is present primarily in the saliva, brain tissue and spinal fluid of a rabid animal.

    When the virus is contracted, it enters the nerves at the sight of the bite.  Because the immune system is not very active within the nervous system, the body is not able to make rabies antibodies quick enough to attack the virus and stop the disease.

    People usually are exposed to the rabies virus when an infected animal bites them.  Exposure may occur if the animal’s saliva enters an open cut or mucous membrane (nose, mouth, eyes.)

    The virus lies dormant in the nerves for a period of time that varies from a few days to months.  This is called the incubation period.  If treatment is sought immediately and received during the incubation period, recovery is likely.  The incubation period in humans averages 60 days.

    The spread of rabies is most effectively controlled by vaccinating domestic animals against the disease.  All dogs, cats, and ferrets in Cook County, are required by law to be currently vaccinated against rabies.

    How often am I required to get my pet vaccinated against rabies?

  • Cats and dogs over 4 months of age must be vaccinated against rabies once a year.  Three-year vaccinations are also available.
  • You will receive a rabies vaccination certificate and a rabies tag from your veterinarian.
  • Attach the tag to your pet’s collar for identification and proof of vaccination.

    • If your pet has been in a fight with another animal, call your veterinarian.  A vaccinated pet may need a booster dose of rabies vaccine as soon as possible.  Unvaccinated animals exposed to a known rabid animal must be confined and professionally observed for six months or euthanized.

    What can people do to protect themselves and their pets from rabies?

  • Do not feed, touch or adopt wild animals or stray dogs or cats.
  • Vaccinated pets serve as a buffer between rabid wildlife and humans, so be sure dogs and cats are up-to-date on their rabies vaccination.
  • Do not allow pets to roam free.
  • Do not attract wild animals to your home or yard.
  • Encourage children to immediately tell an adult if they are bitten or scratched by an animal. Teach children not to approach or to touch any animal they do not know.
  • Report all bites to the local animal control.

    • Bats
    Most of the recent cases of human rabies that have occurred in the United States have been caused by rabies virus from bats.  In Illinois, rabid bats can be found anywhere.  Awareness that bats can be a source of the rabies virus can help people protect themselves.
    There are several signs that could indicate a bat is more likely infected with the rabies virus:

  • Bats seen during the day
  • Those found in a place where bats are not usually found (in a room in your home, on your lawn, etc.)
  • Bats that are unable to fly.

    • Bats, like all wild animals, should never be handled.

    Bats have very small teeth and marks made by these teeth may not be easy to see.  If you find yourself in close proximity to a bat and cannot assure you were not exposed to it, you should call your doctor or your local health department; they can help determine if you could have been exposed to rabies.  For example, if you awaken and find a bat in your bedroom, if you see a bat in the room of an unattended young child, or if you see a bat near a mentally impaired or intoxicated person, a doctor or local health department should be consulted.  Do not discard the bat and do not damage the bat’s head. Contact animal control for removal.

    Keeping Wildlife Out of Your House
    Wild animals are attracted to your home by food and shelter.  Remove these temptations and you can cut your risks of structural damage, home invasion and other problems.

  • Keep pet food and water dishes indoors, especially at night. Use metal or durable plastic trash containers.  Secure the lids with bungee cords or purchase models with screw-on lids
  • Do not feed squirrels, raccoons, or other wildlife that might cause a problem
  • Do not allow bird food to accumulate on the ground.  Install baffles to keep squirrels and raccoons off your feeders or try models with a weight-activated treadle that closes when unwanted animals get on it.  Avoid using sunflower, corn and millet close to your home-use thistle feeders instead.
  • If you have fruit trees in your yard, harvest or dispose of fruit when it is ripe
  • Do not place food scraps in gardens or compost  bins
  • Stack firewood on a frame that keeps logs at least 2 feet above the ground.
  • Trim branches that extend over your roof.  You can prevent access to trees near your home by installing a 3-foot-wide band of sheet metal around the trunks at least 5 feet above the ground.  This is effective only for isolated trees (the branches of protected trees must be at least 10-20 feet away from those of any unprotected tree of similar or greater height.)
  • Remove brush piles and other debris from your yard

    • Animal Proofing Your Home:

    Take precautions to avoid sealing animals in your chimney or attic when you install a chimney cap or take other measures to exclude wildlife.  Sprinkle flour or talcum outside potential entry points.  If you do not see any tracks (footprints) for 2-3 days, it is probably safe to proceed with repairs.  Holes in your soffit, fascia or roof can be stuffed lightly with 1-2 sheets of newspaper and checked for disturbance.

  • Fireplace or furnace chimney: 
    Install a commercial chimney cap (secure to chimney with bolts or screws. Hardware cloth (use ½”x ½” mesh) provides an economical alternative but must be secured tightly.  Leave a peak or dome over the flue to keep leaves and sticks from accumulating.  Do not use window-screening material because it’s too weak and will clog with soot, causing a fire hazard.
  • Attic exhaust fan opening:
    Cover the bottom of the fan from inside the attic with ½” x ½” hardware cloth (a piece that is 18” x 18” will cover most openings.)  Staple the hardware cloth to the rafters.  For added security, nail or screw 1” x 2” lumber to the rafters so that it overlaps the edges of the hardware cloth by about 1”.
  • Attic end louvers (vents): 
    Cover the inside with hardware cloth ½” x ½” mesh.
  • Soffit vents: 
    Cover the inside or the outside with hardware cloth ½” x ½” mesh.
  • Kitchen/bathroom vents for exhaust fans: 
    Cover the outside with hardware cloth ½” x ½” mesh.
  • Window wells: 
    Cover the tops with commercial grates.
  • Decks: 
    Decks that are 2 feet or more above the ground are not a problem.  For decks built lower to the ground, dig a trench (at least 10” deep) around the perimeter.  Fasten hardware cloth (1/2” x ½” mesh) or welded wire (1”  x 1” mesh) from the top of the outside joists to the bottom of the trench.  Leave about 6-8” of extra wire at the bottom and bend it outward to form an “L”.  Fill the trench and cover the wire with wood or plastic lattice for aesthetics.
  • Roof, soffit and fascia: 
    Inspect annually for signs of water damage.  Pay close attention to areas where gables or dormers meet the roof line.  Repair promptly.

    • Animals Visiting Your Yard:

  • Raiding your garbage cans:
    The simplest solution is to bring the cans inside where the animal(s) cannot reach them.  If this is not possible, pour 1 cup of ammonia inside the garbage can or sprinkle black pepper on the top bag inside the garbage can.  Another deterrent is to place rags soaked in ammonia over the top of the garbage can lid and secure with bungee cords.  Use the techniques for a 5 to 7 day period or use when putting garbage out for your weekly pick up.
  • Grubs:
    Raccoons and skunks may tear up lawns in search of grubs.  Cayenne pepper and rags soaked in ammonia can be placed in the area that is affected.  Another option is to mix 8 oz. Dawn Dish Soap, a handful of chewing tobacco and water in a lawn sprayer and spray on the affected grass area.  The techniques are not a 100% certainty.  Contact the Cooperative Extension Service of the University of Illinois at 630-653-4114 for additional advice.
  • Communal bathroom areas:
    Clean up feces and place ammonia rags around the area.  Do not handle feces with bare hands, use gloves or a shovel.  Re-soak the rags in ammonia daily and continue to use for one week.
  • Gardens:
    Exclusion is always the best technique.  Build a 4’ high chicken wire fence around the garden leaving the top 12” to 18” unattached to any support and bent outward.  The animal’s weight will pull the fence downward, landing him right back where he started. If the animal is a good digger, surround your garden with a 3’ high wire mesh fence and place 1’ of the wire mesh into the ground. Taste deterrents will also work, however, they will need to be reapplied after a heavy dew or rain.  Recommended taste deterrents are: mixing 2 tablespoons of hot sauce with 1 gallon of  water make a garlic puree and spray onto plants, sprinkle baby powder on the entire plant or check with your local nursery or home center for commercial products.
  • Window Wells:
      • Place a roughed board at a 45 degree angle into the window well.  Make sure the board is long enough to act as a ramp to the top. If you do not have a roughed board, wrap a towel or carpeting around the board to provide traction for the animal.  Place enticing food at the top of the ramp.  Some animals are nocturnal and will not leave until night.
      • Remember to cover all the window wells which surround the home, especially those which are covered by a deck or bay window.  There are specially made covers for the basement well which acts as a fire escape.

    Recommended Deterrent Techniques:

  • Place lighting (such as bright flashlights, flood lamp, blinking strands of holiday lights, etc.) in their den.  It is best to leave the lights on 24 hours a day.  If this is not possible, the lights must be on during the day to disturb the animal’s sleep if the animal is nocturnal or the reverse for daytime animals.
  • Play a radio (portable alarm clock, noisy children’s toy, anything that plays music or makes noise repeatedly) either in or near their den.  It is best to leave the radio on 24 hours a day.  If this is not possible, the lights must be on during the day to disturb the animal’s sleep or the reverse for daytime animals.
  • Place rags soaked in ammonia in the den area for one week.  Ammonia has an irritating smell.  Over time the ammonia will dissipate and it is important to re-soak the rags on a daily basis.  * VERY IMPORTANT* It is not recommended using ammonia soaked rags during baby season (March-August).  It may injure infant wildlife, which are too young to escape.
  • If a den site has been established in a chimney (usually on the smoke shelf in the fireplace flue) use the same techniques as listed above.  Lower a light down into the chimney, place a bowl of ammonia on the fireplace grate and place a radio inside the fireplace as well.  Do not try to “smoke out” the animal.
  • The above deterrent methods should be used for at least 7-10 days and it is important to use all the techniques at the same time in order for the deterrents to be successful.
  • To determine if the animal has left the den site, wad up newspaper and pack it into the den entrance.  If the animal has left the den site, the newspaper will be pulled out.  If after a few days the newspaper has not been disturbed, securely repair any access openings.  Failure to do so may result in another animal moving in.
  • Wrap a 4’-6’ wide piece of aluminum flashing around tree trunks so that the animal cannot get a foothold on the bark.  Make sure the aluminum flashing is a minimum height of 4’ from the ground.  This will deny the animal access to the tree and your roof.  This technique provides an immediate solution, however it is recommended to leave the flashing up for 5-7 days.
  • Grease downspouts with a mixture of petroleum jelly and crushed red pepper.  The animals will be unable to climb the downspout due to the slippery surface.  This technique provides an immediate solution, however it is recommended to leave the downspouts greased for 5-7 days.

    • WILDLIFE REPELLANTS
    Hot Pepper Repellent Recipe

  • One chopped yellow onion
  • One chopped Jalapeno pepper
  • One tablespoon of Cayenne pepper

    • Boil ingredients for 20 minutes in two quarts of water.  Let it cool and then strain it through cheesecloth.  You can apply this with a pesticide sprayer or a spray bottle.
    This will deter just about any animal from an area where it is applied.  The only drawback is that it will last just 3-5 days.

    The “Magic” Formula

  • 8 oz. Of any liquid dish soap
  • 8 oz. Of Castor Oil
  • 1 gallon of water

    • Mix the Castor Oil and soap.  Be sure that it is mixed thoroughly then add it to one gallon of water and spray the entire area. This is a simple and safe recipe and should work well for many mammals.

    Ropel/Liquid Fence
    Ropel and Liquid Fence are other commercially produced repellents to use to ward off wildlife.  Some local area garden and hardware stores may stock this item.

    Berwyn Animal Ordnance Codes:
    616.01     Definitions.
    616.02     Running at large.
    616.03     Cruelty.
    616.04     Keeping or exhibiting dangerous animals.
    616.05     Animal fights.
    616.06     Impoundment of rabid animals.
    616.07     Dogs and cats.
    616.08     Offensive keeping of animals.
    616.09     Slaughtering.
    616.10     Birds and bird eggs.
    616.11     Beekeeping.
    616.12     Leg hold traps.
    616.13     Abuse of or interference with police dogs.
    616.14     Feeding of wild or feral animals or birds.

    Disclaimer: This Code of Ordinances and/or any other documents that appear on this site may not reflect the most current legislation adopted by the Municipality. American Legal Publishing Corporation provides these documents for informational purposes only. These documents should not be relied upon as the definitive authority for local legislation. Additionally, the formatting and pagination of the posted documents varies from the formatting and pagination of the official copy. The official printed copy of a Code of Ordinances should be consulted prior to any action being taken.

    For further information regarding the official version of any of this Code of Ordinances or other documents posted on this site, please contact the Municipality directly or contact American Legal Publishing toll-free at 800-445-5588. © 2008 American Legal Publishing Corporation techsupport@amlegal.com