Electronic Pet Containment System Guidelines

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Background
Guidelines

Background

Electronic Pet Containment systems serve as non-physical means of controlling animals, primarily dogs, on residential property through negative response mechanisms such as static shock, high-frequency sound, or citronella spray when the animal nears a boundary of the “fence” or containment area.

The City of Naperville currently has no official regulations related to the permitting or regulation of such animal control devices.

Pet owners should exercise caution and good judgment in the installation of electronic pet containment systems. It is especially important that pet owners take into account the temperament of their animal in relying on a non-physical system for animal control. Pets that are not effectively contained within the defined containment area, or those that have been known to attack people or other animals should be confined by other means.

Guidelines

The following guidelines are intended to educate property owners and vendors in the safe and effective installation of electronic pet containment systems:

Setbacks:
The provision of a setback from the sidewalk may reduce the pedestrian’s perception of risk from animals guarding a yard at the property line and minimize the potential risk of physical injury from animal attacks at the property line in the absence of a physical barrier.

• A four foot (4') setback from any property line abutting a sidewalk is recommended.
• Electronic pet containment systems should not be installed in any public easement, as unintentional damage to underground wiring will disable the system and may present a hazard.

Installation:

• If a house-based module is utilized for electronic pet containment, then the radius of the device should be contained wholly within the owner’s yard.
• Installers and pet owners should note that proper animal training is the key component in ensuring the safety and effectiveness of electronic pet containment systems.

The following installation methods are encouraged (see diagram below). This installation methods allows the animal to be restrained to either the front or rear yard, thereby increasing the owner’s ability to supervise the animal.

The above figure demonstrates a "figure 8" installation (interior lot) up to a four foot (4') front setback.

The above figure demonstrates "figure 8" installation (interior lot) up to a front stoop.

Maintenance:

• Broken wires and dead batteries disable electronic pet containment systems. The property owner is responsible for ensuring that an electronic pet containment system is in working order at all times.
• Users of electronic pet containment systems should be aware of the appropriate level of correction necessary to contain the dog.

Signage:
Where electronic pet containment systems are located in a front or corner side yard, consider installation of minimal signage to alert pedestrians that a pet is restrained by the electronic pet containment system.