South Cook News

According to the Department of Agriculture license search database, the Village of Dolton, under the direction of Mayor Tiffany Henyard, has been operating its “Animal Control” department and facility without the required license from the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

According to the Animal Welfare Act, Section 3(a), every Animal Control Facility must first obtain a license from the Dept. of Ag. prior to operating its facility.

Section 20 of the Animal Welfare Act prescribes the penalties for violations of the Act, which includes operating an animal control facility without a license, as a Class C Misdemeanor with every day a violation occurs as a separate offense.

Section 20.5 of the Act prescribes the fines applicable for violations ranging from $500 for the first violation, $1000 for the second violation within 3 years of the first, to $2500 for the third violation within 3 years of the first with a mandatory probation status applied.

We suggest the Village of Dolton immediately cease operating its animal control facility until such a time as they obtain the required license.

We also suggest they obtain municipal license plates for the animal control vehicle which would cost much less and only require a one-time fee.

Mayor Henyard and Administrator Keith Freeman were asked to comment on this situation but have not yet responded.

This story was originally published by Edgar County Watchdogs. Read the original HERE.