Illinois Gov. Signs Companion Animal Hoarder Bill SB 629 Into Law

American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
Monday, 20 August 2001

Governor signs bill at 10:00am, Tuesday, August 21 at PAWS Chicago

The American Society For The Prevention Of Cruelty To Animals (ASPCA) applauds Governor George Ryan for signing SB 629 into law making Illinois the first state to mandate psychological counseling for companion animal hoarders. The legislation was supported and passed due to the efforts of Senator Larry Bomke and Representative Tom Dart. The ASPCA worked with Representative Tom Dart's office for over a year drafting and refining the legislation.

"This is a historic day for Illinois animals and humane organizations," stated Ledy VanKavage, an attorney with The ASPCA's Midwest Government Affairs and Public Policy Office who spearheaded the lobbying effort to pass the Illinois bill. "This Act not only mandates psychological counseling for companion animal hoarders but it expands the tools police officers, humane societies and judges have to combat animal neglect and cruelty." Other items addressed in the bill include the following:

• Increasing the penalties for neglect, cruel treatment, aggravated cruelty, and animal torture. Animal neglect is raised to a Class B misdemeanor; cruel treatment becomes a Class A misdemeanor, aggravated cruelty becomes a Class 4 felony (1-3 years), animal torture becomes a Class 3 felony (3-5 years).
• Allowing individuals who own animals that have been the victims of aggravated cruelty or torture to file a civil action for damages. Damages may include the monetary value of the animal, veterinary expenses incurred, any other expenses including the emotional distress suffered by the owner and punitive damages of up to $25,000 plus attorneys fees and court costs.
• Allowing police officers to seize vehicles used in dog fighting.
• Allowing humane societies to ask courts for security to be posted to help ease the financial burden associated with caring for impounded animals.
• Establishing an Illinois Animal Abuse Investigation Fund to help fund investigation of cruelty and neglect complaints.
• Mandating psychological counseling for juveniles convicted of animal cruelty.

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