Pet vaccination clinic scheduled in Elgin

Elgin residents will be able to get their dogs and cats vaccinated at a reduced rate during a pet health and safety drive Nov. 20.

Under the city's animal control ordinance, dog owners can be fined if their pets don't have a tag showing proof of vaccination.

Elgin Councilman John Prigge, who pushed for stricter dog laws earlier this year, suggested the clinic, where pets can get a rabies vaccine, booster shot, microchip, microchip registration, and registration and tags in either Kane or Cook counties.

The cost is only $35 considerably less than the $140 it might be through a veterinarian, Prigge said.

He noted that residents may be cutting back on getting their pets vaccinated and registered because of high veterinary costs.

In June, the city adopted its animal control ordinance that established harsh fines for dogs that bite a person or another dog. So far, 30 such violations have been issued, according to Kristie Hilton, the police department's crime analyst.

Each comes with a $1,000 penalty.

All told, the city has issued $22,695 in violations of the ordinance since it went into effect, Theriault said.

But a number of tickets have also been issued for a lack of vaccinations (31) or dog tags (50), Hilton said.

Those fines can range from $50 to $750, and are determined by a judge, said Elgin Police Lt. Glenn Theriault. Typically, the higher end fines for not having proof of vaccination would be added to a $1,000 penalty for a dog bite or attack.

Prigge said he wanted to give residents an opportunity to purchase their pets' shots at a lower rate, instead of risking a higher fine for violation of the ordinance.

“My number one focus is to make sure that if somebody gets bit, the odds will be reduced that (the person is) bitten by a dog that has not had a rabies shot,” Prigge said. “This is definitely a safety issue. It's an opportunity to protect (residents') neighbors and dogs.”

If the event is a success, it could be held once or twice a year, Prigge said.

Golf Rose Animal Hospital of Schaumburg will run the clinic, scheduled for noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 20, in the lower level of the Hemmens Cultural Center, 45 Symphony Way, Elgin.

Pet owners must bring proof of Elgin residency.

For more information, call (847) 214-5861.