The ASPCA Applauds Governor Rod R. Blagojevich For Signing (HB 184)

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Tuesday, 19 August 2003

Passage of bill protects people and prevents the needless killing of dogs and cats.

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) applauds Governor Rod R. Blagojevich for signing HB 184 into law today, making it the responsibility of the animal control administrator in each county not only to prevent the spread of rabies but to implement dog and cat overpopulation control. Due to the nation's pet overpopulation crisis, approximately five-nine million dogs and cats are euthanized each year at shelters nationwide including thousands in the state of Illinois. In addition, managing the pet overpopulation problem can cost communities millions of dollars each year.

In order to acquire more funding for fiscally strapped animal control agencies, county boards will now be required by ordinance to impose individual animal (dog and cat) and litter registration fees (feral cats are exempt from these fees). All dogs deemed to be "dangerous" or "vicious" now must be spayed or neutered and microchipped so they can be traced back to their owner if they escape and harm someone. 70% of the bite cases come from animals that are not spayed or neutered.

Nationally, less than 2% of lost cats and 15-20% of dogs that make it into shelters are never reunited with their owners. This law will require microchipping of all adopted dogs and cats and any impounded dog or cat to help increase the return rate of lost animals to their owners. Counties can also require the microchipping of all dogs and cats by ordinance to further improve the reclaim rate.

The bill will also increase the penalty for a person who fails to keep a dog under control who has been deemed "dangerous" or "vicious". If the owner of a vicious dog knowingly fails to keep the dog in an enclosure and the dog inflicts serious physical injury to someone it will be considered a Class 4 felony. And, if the dog owner knowingly allows the dog to run and an injury is inflicted on a person they can be charged with a Class 3 felony.

The ASPCA spearheaded the passage of the bill and worked closely with Representative Skip Saviano, Senator Don Harmon, the Cook County State's Attorney's Office, the Humane Society of Central Illinois and the Illinois Department of Agriculture. "This is a great day for the pets and people of Illinois," stated Ledy VanKavage, an attorney and director at the ASPCA Midwest State Government Affairs and Public Policy Office. "The Governor, Representative Saviano and Senator Harmon should be commended for their humanitarian efforts to update and improve Illinois' antiquated animal control act."

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