The ASPCA Applauds Governor Rod R. Blagojevich For Signing (SB 387)

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Tuesday, 29 July 2003

Passage of bill paves way for stiffer penalties for animal abusers.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) applauds Governor Rod R. Blagojevich for signing in to law SB 387, a bill that will prevent judges from ordering court supervision for animal abusers. In the past, with an order of court supervision, the offender's record of a violation was removed after one calendar year. With the passage of this bill, violators will now face probation or a jail term. Early this year, Senator Bill Haine and Representative William Delagado introduced the bill at the request of the ASPCA. In addition, The Humane Society of Central Illinois, the Madison County States' Attorney's office, the Cook County States' Attorney's office, the Chicago Police Department, the Springfield Police Department, the Humane PAC and the Animal Protective League had lobbied legislators at the capitol in support the bill.

"We are thrilled that the Governor signed this bill," stated Ledy VanKavage, an attorney and director at the ASPCA Midwest State Government Affairs and Public Policy Office. "Far too often animal abuse offenders in Illinois are punished with a slap on the wrist. Court supervision was an inappropriate sentence for animal abuse considering that numerous studies reveal a definite link between violence towards animals and violence towards humans."

A recent survey of sexual homicide perpetrators has revealed that 46% of offenders have abused animals as adolescents. Another study showed that animals were abused in 88% of the families in which child abuse occurred Dahmer, Berkowitz, and Bundy are just a few notorious serial killers who began their criminal careers by abusing animals and the majority of schoolyard shooters have killed animals before killing their classmates. "This new law will enable law enforcement officers to track animal abusers so they know an offender's history and can hopefully stop the perpetrator from committing more heinous crimes," continued VanKavage.

For more information, or to contact American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, see their website at: www.aspca.org