Oak Park, IL Animal Ordinances: Breed Restrictions (2026)

Oak Park's Village Code does not single out any dog breed by name. Section 5-1-2 defines DANGEROUS ANIMAL behaviorally, covering any animal that bites, injures, kills or attacks a person or domestic animal without provocation; any animal that on more than one occasion chases or approaches a person in an apparent attitude of attack; any animal harbored or trained for animal fighting; any dog used as a guard dog; or any dog found to be a vicious dog under state law. Under section 5-5-5(A) and (B), the Village Manager or an animal control officer investigates a complaint or bite report, interviewing the complainant, victim, owner and witnesses where practicable, and issues a written finding.

Where the declared animal caused death, destruction is mandatory under section 5-5-5(C); where it caused severe injury, destruction is discretionary based on severity and circumstances. If the animal is not destroyed, section 5-5-5(D) requires the owner, within set deadlines, to build a locked enclosure at least six feet high embedded two feet into the ground, and, off the owner's property, keep the animal muzzled and restrained on a chain or leash no longer than six feet under the control of an adult at least twenty one years old.

The owner must also microchip and sterilize the animal within ten days and carry at least $100,000 in liability insurance. Guard dogs and state-law vicious dogs must comply automatically without a hearing under section 5-5-5(I). Owners can appeal a dangerous-animal determination to a hearing officer within fourteen days of notice under section 5-5-5(F) and (G).