[ SHOWGSD-L ] WAKE UP ILLINOIS - lots of BAD!!! Bills
- From: RihadinK9@xxxxxxx
- To: showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx, sheltieoldlines@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, SheltieBreeders@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Tue, 22 Feb 2005 21:33:52 EST
The situation in Illinois isn't looking good. Lots of bad pet animal
bills, some with a dozen or more co-sponsors, and no strong
organization leading the fight.
Here's a list of current bills; I hope I found them all but no
guarantees!
The Illinois Legislative web site is at:
_http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/default.asp_
(http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/default.asp)
In case you want to look up the details.
HB 315 -- 'Animal Population Control Act.' Requires all dogs and
cats to be registered (fine of $100 for failure to register), sets up a
fund for low cost spay/neuter to be funded from a $3 surcharge on rabies
vaccinations and a $1 checkoff on tax returns.
HB 707 -- Amends the Illinois Animal Welfare Act to replace the
term 'pet shop operator' with 'animal caretaker.' The new definition of
animal caretaker is so broad that it covers everyone who sells or gives away a
pet, including breeders. An animal caretaker must be licensed by the
Illinois Department of Agriculture and the Department may inspect an AC's
premises.
It adds to the usual animal care requirements that animal caretakers must
provide a 'stimulating and enriching' environment. Punishments are
increased. 'Hoarder,' already defined very broadly is made even worse by
further
broadening the definition to keeping 'a number of' companion animals in poor
conditions. A second hoarding offense is a felony and each day the
conditions
continue is a separate offense punishable by 1 to 3 years in prison and up to
a $25,000 fine.
SB 1063 -- Seems to replace the word 'the' with the word 'the' in
the requirements for rabies vaccination. This is most likely a
legislative manuver -- what is often called a 'spot' bill because as
filed, the bill merely holds a spot for the real thing.
Many states have requirements that bills be filed well in advance of the
first legislative action so citizens have time to discover and
discuss them; maybe plan action. The 'spot bill' is a way to evade
that requirement -- the real content will be amended in, in
committee. Most likely we won't know what's really in these bills
until the first committee hearing.
SB 1064 -- Seems to replace the word 'and' with the word 'and' in
the Animal Control Act. Another 'spot bill.'
HB 1128 -- Changes state's 'deeds not breeds' law so it will permit
BSL.
HB 1238 -- Seems to replace the word 'the' with the word 'the' in
the Humane Care For Animals Act. Another 'spot bill.'
HB 2406 -- Long, complex changes to Animal Welfare Act. Among
important changes; 'rescue group' is any group or person that does rescue;
'companion animal' (ARspeak for pet) is any dog, cat, or
*horse* or anything else you or most people think is a pet; foster
homes are limited to four animals not including owned animals and must be
sponsored by a rescue or shelter.
All the following will need a state license: pet shop operators, dog
dealers, kennel operators, cattery operators, guard dog service
operators, animal control facilities, animal shelters, dog daycares,
animal rescue groups, humane societies, and foster homes. All of
those must allow inspection of their premises at any time (not just
'reasonable hours') by the department. There are record keeping
requirements. Breeders are exempt from license requirements
provided they have five or fewer intact females and 'deal' only their own
get.
Can you say 'Divide and conquer'? Rescue this year; breeders,
we're next, once the rescuers are under control.
HB 2447 -- Current law allows localities to register dogs and cats. This
would *require* registration but would make microchipping and use of the
microchip number as registration number, optional. A registration fee is
required but the requirement for registration of litters is removed. It also
deletes the requirement that microchips operate at 125khz.
HB 2717 -- Seems to replace the word 'and' with the word 'and' in
the Humane Care For Animals Act. Another 'spot bill.' UGH!!!!
Taken together, these bills give the state complete control over
transfers of animals. In practice, that control would be exercised
by your local animal control. Of course that assumes the most
important parts pass; we don't know how that will turn out. Some
bills do conflict; in those cases the committees will adjust things,
either by killing one or more bills or by merging provisions of one
into another. The spot bills could be used to cover holes (although there
are very likely already plans for their contents) -- there's one for each of
the four main pieces of existing animal law.
I haven't done a lot of this, but this is the worst mess I've ever seen, and
by far the largest single-year push.
Ginger Cleary, Dallas, GA_ http://www.rihadin.com _
(http://www.rihadin.com/) (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pet-law/) You can't
dance if you don't go
to the party.
_http://groups.yahoo.com/group/GA-pet-law/_
(http://groups.yahoo.com/group/pet-law/)
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