Pets would be protected from further abuse under a bill awaiting a vote in the house. The measure lets police seize companion animals from someone arrested on a variety of animal abuse charges. It also gives judges greater discretion to ban an abuser from having a pet. Representative Anne Stava-Murray of Downers Grove:
“Senate Bill 1499 is in response to two incidents where defendants were found guilty of animal cruelty acts, but the court was unable to ban them from possessing animals in the future. One in DuPage County involved a man who’s kennel burned down killing 29 dogs. Another involved two individuals who starved two dogs and fed at least one of them rat poison.”
A judge could impose a lifetime ban if warranted.
***Courtesy of the Illinois Department of Central Management Services***
