 Control the pet population; Have your dog or cat spayed or neutered |
Whiteside County Animal Control |
Beth Fiorini, the County Public Health Administrator,
oversees the Department of Animal Control.
Animal Control Staff
Vanessa Scott, Animal Control warden
Kelly Cavazos, Animal Control officer
Chris Beck, Executive secretary
James Garcia, Animal Control assistant
Patty Little, Kennel cleaner
Whiteside Country Animal Control Mission Statement
To provide animals control services that are mandated by Illinois state laws
or ordered by interagency agreements in an efficient, lawful, and personable manner.
It is the intent of Whiteside County Animal Control to inform dog owners of his / her liability when taking on the responsibility of a dog. An owner is being held accountable for their dog’s actions in the State of Illinois including medical costs due to victims and / or property damage.
 |
According to the Animal Control Act of Illinois (516ILCS5/16) (From Ch. 8, par.366) Sec. 16: "Animal attacks or injuries. If a dog or other animal, without provocation, attacks, attempts to attack, or injures any person who is peaceably conducting himself or herself in any place where he or she may lawfully be, the owner of such dog or other animal is liable in civil damages to such person for the full amount of the injury proximately caused thereby." |
Whiteside County Animal Control staff is courteous in its approach to working with pet owners and the public who may have complaints about dogs that may be a potential threat in Whiteside County.
There are three mandated services: Rabies Control, Dangerous/ Vicious Animal Control, and livestock losses due to dogs.
Micro-chipping is now mandatory per state law for any animal impounded and released back to its owner.
The $20 micro-chipping cost must be paid before the impounded animal is released. Animal Control also microchips family pets for $20.
The Animal Control Department covers all of Whiteside County, contracts with some of the cities and mainly deals with stray dogs and dog bites. Animal Control also will pick up other types of animals if they are aggressive or bite someone.
Animal Control primarily deals with loose dogs and cats but sometimes gets involved in other animal activities. Animal Control responds to bat bites, animal hoarders and even coyote bites when they occur.
Why is the Whiteside County Health Department in charge of Animal Control in Whiteside County?
In October of 1989, the Whiteside County Board, through resolution, requested the Whiteside County Board of Health to assume control of the Whiteside County Animal Control.
It was agreed that, “The Health Board shall hereby assume complete administrative control of the Animal Control Program…The Public Health Administrator shall become the duly authorized representative of Animal Control in all aspects of program management.”