VICIOUS DOG VICTIM RELIEF FUND

Creates the Vicious Dog Attack Victim Relief Fund Act. Provides that the Department of Public Health shall establish the Vicious Dog Attack Victim Relief Fund Program to reimburse victims and their families for medical bills, lost wages, and other damages resulting from serious physical injuries caused by a vicious dog attack. Sets forth certain conditions for the operation of the Program and the Vicious Dog Attack Victim Relief Fund. Amends the State Finance Act to create the Vicious Dog Attack Victim Relief Fund as a special fund in the State treasury. Amends the Animal Control Act. Provides that "dangerous" and "vicious" designations apply to all animals (now, only dogs may be deemed "dangerous" or "vicious"). Provides that an "owner" includes a person who knowingly permits an animal to remain on or about any premises occupied by that person. Provides that County Boards shall impose an individual dog registration fee and may impose an individual cat and ferret registration fee (now, shall impose animal and litter registration fee). Requires every owner of a dog, cat, or ferret 4 months or more of age to have that dog, cat, or ferret inoculated against rabies. Provides that any companion animal, which includes, but is not limited to, dogs, cats, ferrets, and horses, found running at large may be apprehended and impounded (now, limited to dogs). Requires the owner of a biting animal to remit to the Department of Public Health a $25 public safety fine within 30 days after notice for deposit into the Vicious Dog Attack Victim Relief Fund. Authorizes an administrative hearing officer to make a "vicious animal" determination. Provides that if an owned animal is found to be a "vicious animal", the owner shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony, pay a $500 fine to be deposited in the Animal Control Fund, and the court of administrative hearing officer shall order the animal subject to enclosure or euthanized. Requires any animal designated as "dangerous" to be under physical control by an adult 18 years of age or older whenever the animal is off of the premises of its owner. Requires owners of dangerous animals that relocate to notify both the Administrator of the County Animal Control where he or she has relocated to and the Administrator of the County Animal Control where he or she formerly resided. Requires all animal control facilities in the State to report certain information. Provides that if the owner of a dangerous animal knowingly fails to comply with any order regarding the animal and the animal inflicts physical injury or serious physical injury on a person or companion animal, the owner shall be guilty of a Class 4 felony. Provides that if the owner of a dangerous animal fails to comply with any order regarding the animal and the animal kills a person or contributes to the death of a person the owner shall be guilty of a Class 3 felony. Makes other changes. Effective immediately.