Photo Courtesy of the Office of Governor Pat Quinn by Ryan Martin On August 2nd Governor Pat Quinn signed House Bill 4410 into law, which amends Illinois’ Animal Welfare Act and increases the penalties for those who violate it. The newly signed law was proposed by three third-graders from Arlington Heights after reading a book about two students that rescued a puppy from a puppy mill. After reading the book Claire Hackman, Brooke Martin, and Maddie O’Dell began to research puppy mills and then contacted State Representative David Harris (R-Arlington Heights) about ways to limit those types of operations. “Our pets are a part of the family, and we must always treat them with care and respect,” Governor Quinn said in a statement. “Three students from Arlington Heights created this new law because they wanted to make a difference and protect animals across Illinois.” The three students efforts included giving a presentation to faculty and students at a school assembly, gathering signatures, and testifying before the House Agriculture and Conservation Committee. The law makes it a requirement that puppies and kittens now stay with their mothers eight weeks before being sold. It also requires dog dealers, kennel operators, pet shop operators and animal shelters to be licensed by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Under the new law, the fines for violating the Animal Welfare Act have been increased from $200 to $500 for the first violation, $500 to $1,000 for a second violation, and a third violation will now result in a $2,500 fine and probationary status for the violator. “It is great to see the Animal Welfare Act updated by House Bill 4410 for the protection of all animals, and it is wonderful that the initiative for the bill was started by three third graders from Patton school,” Representative Harris said. “I am proud to have been able to help them, and I applaud their dedication in pushing the bill.” The law has received widespread support from animal activists and pet lovers throughout the state. “I think it’s a step in the right direction,” Garrie Burr, Owner of Central Illinois Small Animal Rescue, said. “Anything that would restrict, or make people think twice about having a puppy mill, I greatly appreciate.” Central Illinois Small Animal Rescue is a no-kill animal shelter that has been in operation since 2002, and has seen first hand the negative effects of puppy mills. “We’ve adopted about ten or eleven puppies from puppy mills in the past month or so,” Burr said. “Generally they are not in very good physical condition.” The bill was signed at Pets Are Worth Saving (PAWS) Chicago, which is Chicago’s largest no-kill shelter. “We applaud the state of Illinois and Governor Quinn for working to deter the abuse and neglect of animals by increasing fines for violators of the Animal Welfare Act,” Paula Fasseas said. “Animals are defenseless living beings and we must be their voice and protectors.” On the same day the bill was signed, Governor Quinn also issued an executive order which created the Illinois Pet Advocacy Task Force. The task force will study the issues of animal cruelty, neglect and abuse, and issue a report to the Governor and the General Assembly within 12 months. If you are interested in adopting a pet, or would like more information on Central Illinois Small Animal Rescue you can visit their website at cisarshelter. To learn more about PAWS Chicago you can visit their website at ift.tt/11KDy1D . The post Animal Welfare Act Amended appeared first on News Bulletin.
Posted on: Wed, 13 Aug 2014 06:10:42 +0000