Dog Ownership Is Similar To Driving Speeds–Anyone Who Does More Than You Is A Maniac
So, heres the thing about how many dogs (or cats, as theyre both whats called “companion animals”) you can legally have in your household: it varies depending on where you call home in Illinois.
Several sites I visited showed the number as being six. But, in some other places the statutes said “6 dogs and 6 cats.” There have been attempts by different municipalities across the country to enact a two-dog limit, but from what Ive been able to gather, those attempts were shot down by citizenry and the local city councils.
It seems that the bottom line here is that you can have a bunch of dogs, providing youre caring for them properly and not pissing off your neighbors–but landlords can set the pet limit at whatever number they choose, including zero.
One more thing. Have you heard about “pet leasing?” A Massachusetts company is in some hot water over the practice–which, until this morning, was something none of us around here had ever heard of. It sounds like an awful practice thats on its way out, thankfully. Check this out:
How many dogs does your local ordinance limit per household?
Ordinances regulating pet ownership usually regulate based on numerical criteria. An ordinance that chooses to limit the number of pets to a certain number (i.e., three dogs per household) will be generally upheld even if it fails to distinguish dogs based on other factors (i.e., size or weight).
What are the dog laws in Illinois?
A later statute, 510ILCS 5/2.11a, says that all dogs on private property are to be enclosed by the means of a fence or structure at least six feet in height to prevent the entry of children. If an owner takes their dog for a walk on public property or on someone else’s private property, the dog should remain leashed.