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IMPORTANT LEGISLATION
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| Click Here to See Proposed Legislation |
Legislative Outcome
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IL: Creation of Dog Owners and Homeowner's Insurance Illinois: HB 3614 Illinois: HB 822 Protects Public by Identifying Potentially Dangerous Dogs SUCCESS! HB 822 has been signed into state law by Governor Blagojevich! HB 822 establishes a new category of “potentially dangerous dog” that will help to curb dog attacks and overpopulation. Under the new legislation, sponsored by Rep. Jerry Mitchell and Sen. Don Harmon, the new category for “potentially dangerous dog” would apply to dogs that are defined as unsupervised and found running at large with three or more other dogs. Dogs deemed as potentially dangerous would be required to be spayed or neutered and micro-chipped within 14 days of reclaim. If an owner fails to comply with this section, it will result in impoundment of the dog OR a fine of $500. “HB 822 will go a long way in preventing future fatal dog attacks in the state of Illinois—not to mention curbing animal overpopulation. And as the gravity of animal fighting has been thrust into the public consciousness in recent months, HB 3614 will ensure stiffer penalties for those organizing and participating in this cruel and thoughtless act. We applaud the state of Illinois for taking these animal welfare issues so seriously.” - Ed Sayres, president & CEO of the ASPCA -------------------- This legislation defines a “potentially dangerous dog” as a dog who is unsupervised and found running at large with three or more other dogs. A dog deemed by the animal control warden to be potentially dangerous would have to be spayed/neutered and microchipped for permanent identification. The designation of “potentially dangerous dog” would expire after a year as long as the dog receives no further violations within that time. Please send the following letter to your state representative asking for House concurrence of this public safety legislation. Illinois: HB 9 Lets Judges Protect Pets in Domestic Violence Disputes SUCCESS! HB 9 has been signed into state law by Governor Blagojevich! ------------------- HB 9 specifically allows a judge to include animals in an order of protection. Like children, pets are often used as pawns in domestic violence. Without provisions to adequately protect their pets, victims of interpersonal violence may feel compelled to remain in abusive situations. This bill provides that if a judge finds reason to include a companion animal in the order of protection, the petitioner is given exclusive custody, care and control over the animal. The judge can order the respondent to stay away from the animal and forbid the respondent to take, transfer, encumber, conceal, harm or otherwise dispose of the animal. HR 137/S 261 (The Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act of 2007) President Bush signed the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act into law! The law takes effect immediately. It provides felony penalties for interstate commerce, import and export related to animal fighting activities, including commerce in cockfighting weapons. It will make it much harder for criminals who engage in dogfighting and cockfighting to continue their operations. Each violation of the federal law may bring up to three years in jail and up to a $250,000 fine for perpetrators. Thank you to everyone who contacted their legislators and encouraged them to support this Act! The Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act will properly penalize and hopefully deter people from engaging in these brutal “blood sports.” Dogs used in dog fighting often die of blood loss, shock, dehydration, exhaustion and infection. Some trainers train their dogs to fight using smaller animals, such as cats, rabbits or smaller dogs as bait. The presence of animal fighting in communities has been known to lead to other crimes, such as illegal gambling, carrying of illegal weapons and drug sales. Chicago: Council Toughens Measures on Dog Owners Chicago toughened its penalties on owners of dangerous dogs, doubling fines and adding possible jail terms of up to six months if owners don't comply with orders to turn over their animal. The city council approved the revisions to the city's animal control ordinance. Mayor Richard Daley said it was a better idea than breed-specific bans -- such as a ban on pit bulls that some aldermen have proposed. "You have to go after the owner, because the owner owns the dog. You can't go after the dog alone," Daley said. Anyone who fails to turn over a dangerous animal for impoundment when required would face up to six months in jail and a fine up to $1,000. Putting your dog into a fight or hosting a dog fight can bring a fine of up to $5,000. The new ordinance adds stricter time limits to requirements for restraining and sterilizing dangerous animals, and such animals now must get an identifying microchip surgically implanted. The measure also toughens penalties for cruelty to animals. If you'd like to keep abreast of the animal advocacy
action alerts in Illinois or any other state, the ASPCA has complete information regarding proposed legislation and the outcome. You will also have the ability to send a personalized letter to your representatives, compliments of the ASPCA. |
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