(510 ILCS 68/95-10)
Sec. 95-10. Civil liability and immunity. If any herptile escapes or is released, the owner and possessor of the herptile shall be strictly liable for all costs incurred in apprehending and confining the herptile, including any injuries incurred to humans or damage to property, both real and personal, including pets and livestock, and the owner shall indemnify any animal control officer, police officer, or Department employee acting in his or her official capacity to capture or control an escaped herptile.
The owner, keeper, or possessor of an escaped herptile shall be solely responsible for any and all liabilities arising out of or in connection with the escape or release of any herptile including liability for any damage, injury, or death caused by or to the herptile during or after the herptile's escape or release or as a result of the apprehension or confinement of the herptile after its escape or release. In addition, the owner, keeper, or possessor of an escaped herptile shall be solely responsible for any and all costs incurred by an animal control officer, police officer, or Department employee acting in his or her official capacity to capture or control an escaped herptile.
A licensed veterinarian who may have cause to treat a special use herptile that is in violation of this Act shall not be held liable, except for willful and wanton misconduct, under this Act provided that the veterinarian (i) promptly reports violations of this Act of which he or she has knowledge to a law enforcement agency within 24 hours after becoming aware of the incident; (ii) provides the name, address, and phone number of the person possessing the special use herptile at time of incident or treatment; (iii) provides the name and address of the owner of the special use herptile if known; (iv) identifies the kind and number of special use herptiles being treated; and (v) describes the reason for the treatment of the special use herptile.
(Source: P.A. 98-752, eff. 1-1-15.)
Last modified: February 18, 2015