Legislators’ pet bills would put muzzle on puppy abuse

Almost every year, the Illinois General Assembly studies and debates legislation that either directly or marginally involves what is becoming known as animal law. This session has been no exception.

In 1999, the governor signed a bill to make animal torture a Class 4 felony when extreme pain is inflicted to cause or prolong agony.

In 2001, veterinarians were given the responsibility, with immunity, to report treating animals that may have been injured in organized fights. Individuals who knew that animals were to be used in fights faced felony penalties.

In 2002, it became a crime to photograph or videotape heinous animal cruelty such as dog fights, cock fights or random acts of torture.

(The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments this session in a related case in which selling videos of dog fights and other animal cruelty is asserted to have First Amendment free speech protection.)

Bills introduced in 2003 would require microchips implanted in all dogs for tracking; would permit seizure of property from a dog-fighting site; would apply court supervision to people convicted of animal abuse.

In 2004, the ISBA supported a bill to create trusts for domestic animals that became public act 93-0668.

In 2006, public safety bills were passed to impose criminal penalties and civil liability on owners of vicious dogs who attack people, and banned drug dealers and violent criminals from owning dogs.

In 2007, the House and Senate passed bills to cover pets under court orders of protection in domestic violence situations. Another bill that year elevated cock fighting from a Class A misdemeanor to a Class 4 felony.

Currently, similar bills in the House and Senate would put an end to the proliferation of “puppy mills,” where expensive breeds were mass produced and caged in deplorable conditions while awaiting sale.

Identical bills filed in January – SB 53 and HB 198 – were to create a Dog Breeder Licensing Act and further amend portions of the Animal Welfare Act.

The Senate bill, filed Jan. 30 by Sen. Dan Kotowski, was rewritten subsequently by Amendment 1 and referred March 10 to the Licensed Activities Committee. It received a do-pass vote of 6 to 3 on March 12, but has encountered further amending on the Senate floor.

The House bill, pre-filed Jan. 13 by Rep. John A. Fritschey, was assigned Feb. 4 to the Business and Occupational Licenses Committee, where it was voted do-pass on March 11 by a 9 to 3 margin. It was re-referred to the Rules Committee on April 3.

Concerns from legitimate breeders that some requirements of the measure could be enforced arbitrarily were countered last month by Rep. Fritchey.

“I think it’s entirely possible to have a bill that simultaneously protects good breeders while eliminating the puppy mills that have bred dogs in inhumane conditions motivated by nothing other than profit.” he said.