Buffalo Grove Dog Bite Attorneys

With the hope of promoting safety awareness and the prevention of unnecessary dog attacks, the Buffalo Grove Dog Bite Attorneys of Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C. encourage all dog owners to act in a responsible manner.

Known for its quiet neighborhoods, miles of open green spaces, cultural events, and plethora of recreational activities, Buffalo Grove is beautiful village situated to the north of Chicago. While there is uncertainty as to the precise origin of the name Buffalo Grove, it has been suggested that it was derived from the historical presence of buffalo, which were seen roaming, and drinking from the Village’s creeks, as well as bison skeletons found in the area. Although Buffalo Grove is well developed, and therefore no longer a key farming community, the village remains a desirable location for animal lovers, particularly dog owners.

In keeping with the Village’s desire to maintain a peaceful environment for all of its residents, Buffalo Grove, like many other Chicago suburbs, has implemented detailed regulatory guidelines pertaining to the custody, care and control of dogs, as enumerated in Buffalo Grove’s Municipal Code of Ordinances. 

As stated in Sec. 6.04.010, of Buffalo Grove’s Municipal Code of Ordinances pertaining to animals, “It is the purpose of this Title to protect animals from neglect and abuse, to protect residents from annoyance and injury by animals, to assure that animal owners are responsible and in control of their animals at all times, to assist in providing housing for animals in the custody of the Village, to cover the cost of licensing and caring for animals and to establish a program to discourage the excessive multiplication of animals.”

• Limitation in Quantity of Dogs Owned: No more than 4 dogs to a single family home, and 2 dogs to other types of dwelling, such as apartments.
• License, Vaccination, Collar: Dogs owners must license their dog(s), obtained through providing proof of vaccination against rabies. License tags shall be affixed to a collar and, when applicable, remain on the dog at all times.
• Leashing and Tethering: When on public property, leashes shall be no longer than 8 feet in length; except that retractable leashes, when used, shall not be extended over 8 feet in length. Further, the unsupervised tethering of a dog to a stationary object is discouraged. Tethering generally will not constitute a violation, so long as the tether used is of sufficient strength and material to constrain the animal, and the dog is maintained in accordance with other provisions of the Buffalo Grove’s Municipal Code of Ordinances.
• Confinement of Animals in Heat: Any person in control of a female dog in heat shall confine such dog in an enclosed area so as to preclude other dogs from being attracted to or coming in contact with such female animal, except for planned breeding.
• Special Provisions relating to Rottweiler and Pit Bull Terriers: Owners of Rottweilers and Pit Bull Terriers shall comply with special requirements, including the use of a non-retractable leash no longer than 6 feet, which is under the control of a person 16 years of age or older; install a special enclosure upon the owner’s premises within 1 year of obtaining Village license; and display Village approved signage stating “Beware of Dog.”
• Dangerous Animals: With the exception to dogs owned by law enforcement agencies, Buffalo Grove’s Municipal Code of Ordinances defines “Dangerous Animals” as follows:
  1. Any animal which has inflicted injury on, or has bitten a human being without provocation on public or private property; OR
  2. Any animal which has attacked a domestic animal without provocation while off the owner's property, unless the animal is found to be "potentially dangerous"; OR
  3. Any individual animal with a known propensity, tendency or disposition to attack without provocation, to cause injury or to otherwise endanger the safety of human beings or domestic animals; OR
  4. Any individual animal that has a trait or characteristic and a generally known reputation for viciousness, dangerousness or unprovoked attacks on human beings or other animals, unless handled in a particular manner or with special equipment, excluding dogs used as part of a law enforcement program; OR
  5. Any dog owned or harbored primarily or in part for the purpose of dog fighting or any dog trained for dog fighting; AND
  6. Represents a significant threat to the health or safety of the public. Dangerous animals shall not be classified in a manner that is specific to breed. * However, note restriction to dog breeds pertaining to Rottweilers and Pit Bulls.
• Potentially Dangerous Animals: Buffalo Grove’s Municipal Code of Ordinances defines “Potentially Dangerous Animals” as follows:
  1. A member of the Police Department has conducted an investigation and made a finding, in writing, that the animal is a potentially dangerous animal as defined in this section and the owner of the animal having been notified in writing has not appealed the finding of the Police Department to the Hearing Board within five days of mailing of such notice; OR
  2. The owner of a dog found to be a potentially dangerous dog by a member of the Police Department has appealed such finding to the Hearing Board within five days of mailing of such notice and the Hearing Board has sustained the finding of the Police Department; OR
  3. The Circuit Court has found the animal to be a potentially dangerous animal as defined in this section and has entered an order based on that finding; AND
  4. May represent a significant threat to the health or safety of the public.
• ‘Found to Be’ Dangerous Animals: Buffalo Grove’s Municipal Code of Ordinances defines “Found to be a Dangerous Animal” as follows:
  1. A member of the Police Department has conducted an investigation and made a finding, in writing, that the animal is a dangerous animal as defined in this section and the owner of the animal having been notified in writing has not appealed the finding of the Police Department to the Hearing Board within five days of mailing of such notice; OR
  2. The owner of an animal found to be a dangerous animal by a member of the Police Department has appealed such finding to the Hearing Board within five days of mailing of such notice and the Hearing Board has sustained the finding of the Police Department; OR
  3. The Circuit Court has found the animal to be a dangerous animal as defined in this section and has entered an order based on that finding; OR
  4. The Circuit Court has found the dog to be a vicious dog as defined in the Illinois Animal Control Act and has entered an order based on that finding; AND
  5. Represents a significant threat to the health or safety of the public.

• Buffalo Grove, IL - Code of Ordinances
• Buffalo Grove’s Official Website

It is important to note that Buffalo Grove defines a dog bites in a more strict manner than many surrounding Chicago suburbs. While many cities require the dog to pierce or break the skin in order for the injury to be deemed a dog bite, Buffalo Grove defines “HAS BITTEN” as “a dog that has been seized with the teeth or jaws so that the person seized has been nipped, gripped, wounded or pierced.” If you or a loved one were bitten by a dog in Buffalo Grove, it is important that you know your legal options. In addition to penalties imposed by the Village, the dog owner, or person responsible for the dog’s care, may also be civilly liable for injuries and damages sustained as a result of a dog bite attack.

Contact the Buffalo Grove Dog Bite Attorneys of Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C. today for a Free Personal Injury Consultation at 773-516-4100 or online at Zneimer & Zneimer, P.C..