Bolingbrook, IL Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Section 8-62(a) requires the animal control officer to issue a citation against a dog's owner when the officer determines the dog qualifies as a vicious dog as defined in section 8-2, and that citation sets a court hearing date. At the hearing, subsection (b) puts the burden on the village to prove by a preponderance of the evidence that the dog is vicious, and subsection (d) lists specific defenses, including that the dog was responding to a trespasser, an assault on itself or its owner, or was protecting itself or its household.

Critically, subsection (d)(4) states plainly that vicious dogs shall not be classified in a manner that is specific as to breed, meaning Bolingbrook regulates individual dogs by documented behavior, not by breed identity, and a professionally trained law enforcement or guard dog cannot be found vicious at all. 00 in liability insurance, and notify animal control within 24 hours if the dog escapes, attacks, is removed from the village, or dies. 00 in liability insurance. Failure to comply with either tier escalates the fine and can lead to confiscation on a third offense under sections 8-63(i) and 8-65(d).