Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has signed into law new, safe humane legislation that prohibits convicted dogfighters from owning unsterilized or vicious dogs, making it more difficult for offenders to return to the illegal activity once they have served their time.
First of its kind in the United States, the new law amends the State of Illinois Criminal Code of 1961 to make it a misdemeanor for a convicted dogfighter to own unsterilized dogs or dogs that have been deemed vicious by a court. This includes any unsprayed or unneutered dog or puppy older than 12-weeks of age, or irrespective of whether the dog has been spayed or neutered, any dog that has been determined to be a vicious dog under Section 15 of the Animal Control Act.
“This will give law enforcement more tools to crack down on people who fight dogs,” said Ledy VanKavage, senior legislative analyst for Best Friends Animal Society. “It will also have the effect of helping lessen the likelihood that convicted dog fighters, once they are released from prison, go back into the breeding business.”
Best Friends Animal Society, which took in 22 of the fighting dogs rescued from the home of pro football player Michael Vick in 2007, worked closely with bill sponsors State Sen. William R. Haine (D-Alton) and State Rep. Mike Boland (D-East Moline) to get the bill to the governor’s desk. Best Friends has been proactive in instituting humane legislation that makes communities safer from people who own vicious dogs for the purpose of fighting.
The Utah-based organization also helped draft and spearhead passage of another measure on Gov. Quinn’s desk—a cross-reporting bill that mandates that animal control workers report all cases of child abuse to the state, and for the Illinois State Division of Child and Family Services to report all cases of animal abuse. Best Friends also helped draft and pass an anti-dogfighting bill in the State of Georgia in 2008.
“Best Friends believes that legislation is an integral component in effecting positive change to prevent animal cruelty and promote animal kindness," VanKavage added. “This is why we are being so proactive in this area by working with our volunteers lawmakers around the country.”
VanKavage thanked State Sen. Haine and State Rep. Boland for their work in getting the bill passed and signed by the governor. “Because of tireless efforts of Sen. Haine and Rep. Boland, our communities in Illinois will be safer for both people and pets,” she said.
About Best Friends Animal Society
Best Friends Animal Society, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2009, is a nonprofit, membership organization building no-kill programs and partnerships that will bring about a day when there are No More Homeless Pets®. The society's leading initiatives in animal care and community programs are coordinated from its Kanab, Utah, headquarters, the country's largest no-kill companion animal sanctuary. Best Friends’ work is made possible by the support of a grassroots network of members and community partners across the nation.
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Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has signed into law new, safe humane legislation that prohibits convicted dogfighters from owning unsterilized or vicious dogs, making it more difficult for offenders to return to the illegal activity once they have served their time.
First of its kind in the United States, the new law amends the State of Illinois Criminal Code of 1961 to make it a misdemeanor for a convicted dogfighter to own unsterilized dogs or dogs that have been deemed vicious by a court. This includes any unsprayed or unneutered dog or puppy older than 12-weeks of age, or irrespective of whether the dog has been spayed or neutered, any dog that has been determined to be a vicious dog under Section 15 of the Animal Control Act.
“This will give law enforcement more tools to crack down on people who fight dogs,” said Ledy VanKavage, senior legislative analyst for Best Friends Animal Society. “It will also have the effect of helping lessen the likelihood that convicted dog fighters, once they are released from prison, go back into the breeding business.”
Best Friends Animal Society, which took in 22 of the fighting dogs rescued from the home of pro football player Michael Vick in 2007, worked closely with bill sponsors State Sen. William R. Haine (D-Alton) and State Rep. Mike Boland (D-East Moline) to get the bill to the governor’s desk. Best Friends has been proactive in instituting humane legislation that makes communities safer from people who own vicious dogs for the purpose of fighting.
The Utah-based organization also helped draft and spearhead passage of another measure on Gov. Quinn’s desk—a cross-reporting bill that mandates that animal control workers report all cases of child abuse to the state, and for the Illinois State Division of Child and Family Services to report all cases of animal abuse. Best Friends also helped draft and pass an anti-dogfighting bill in the State of Georgia in 2008.
“Best Friends believes that legislation is an integral component in effecting positive change to prevent animal cruelty and promote animal kindness," VanKavage added. “This is why we are being so proactive in this area by working with our volunteers lawmakers around the country.”
VanKavage thanked State Sen. Haine and State Rep. Boland for their work in getting the bill passed and signed by the governor. “Because of tireless efforts of Sen. Haine and Rep. Boland, our communities in Illinois will be safer for both people and pets,” she said.
About Best Friends Animal Society
Best Friends Animal Society, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2009, is a nonprofit, membership organization building no-kill programs and partnerships that will bring about a day when there are No More Homeless Pets®. The society's leading initiatives in animal care and community programs are coordinated from its Kanab, Utah, headquarters, the country's largest no-kill companion animal sanctuary. Best Friends’ work is made possible by the support of a grassroots network of members and community partners across the nation.
