"*HB 1166-Animal Hoarder*
Now it is time to protect your interests in your dogs. Of particular
concern to our Board is HB 1166, filed by Rep. Patrick J. Verschoore (D) of
Rock Island 2/8/2011-. He is Vice Chairman of the Agriculural
Committee--a committee of 6 Democrats.We are more than concerned about this
bill. PLEASE READ THE BILL. We have MANY concerns.
Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Provides that the definition of a
"companion animal hoarder" means a person who is* in possession of 7 or more
companion animals in addition to other requirements. *Amends the Animal
Control Act. Provides that *a person must obtain a permit from the Board to
possess 7 or more companion animals. Provides that a failure to receive a
permit for the possession of 7 or more companion animals is a violation and
a person is guilty of a Class B misdemeanor and a second or subsequent
violation is a Class 4 felony with every day that a violation continues
constituting a separate offense*.
In order to get a "permit" a dog owner must submit all litter records,
sales, and medical records on all dogs. Issuing the permit will be at the
discretion of the state. Because there are no guidelines for accepting a
permit, anything can be used as a reason for denial. There is no provision
for permit fee limit. While our board has reviewed the bill in detail and
suggest strong opposition, we want Illinois delegates to vote and bring the
strength of numbers from the entire state. Here are just a few of our
concerns:
1. This bill contains no explicit exemptions for *state licensed* breeders,
rescues, shelters, veterinarians, kennels, animal dealers, pet shops,
medical or research labs that use companion animals, stables or horse
breeders/dealers (since applies to horses), or any other individual; even if
they are licensed for their business under IL law which involves "companion
animals".
2. "Companion animals" defined as including cats, dogs, horses, and any
other animal that may be kept as a pet under the HCAA definition for that
term. Therefore, even possessing 7 Koi goldfish in your backyard pool might
earn you that title under this bill.
3. Note that this could be in any combination. ..so 6 guppies in your kid's
fishtank and your house cat and you're a hoarder.
4. (and the same old same old)...this bill would waste law enforcement time
and expense on people who take excellent care of their pets but are in
technical violation by having 7 or more animals, yet ignore those who have
less than 7 animals but do not care for them properly.
5. (and more same old same old...) what is needed is better enforcement of
existing regulations of HCAA for adequate food, shelter, water, vet care for
any pet, no matter if it is the only pet in the household or one of multiple
pets."
Full text available at www.ifdco.org
Saturday, February 12, 2011
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1 comment:
Wow, I really hope they don't go through with that bill. That seems a bit intense. I can see for the people who are actually hoarding pets, but still. I think they'd have better luck doing a bill for each pet such as so many of each animal or something. Even then I don't think it's right or should be done. I think they need to just need to up the law on animal hoarding with neglectful care to get the point across to other animal hoarders. I don't live in Illinois, but I can see if it passes, it could spread to several other states as well.
-Amy
Talented K9
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