On Tuesday, February 14, an Illinois House Committee will consider a bill that would provide a legal advocate in court for a dog or cat in legal cases involving the health, safety, or an injury of a dog or cat.
House Bill 1169 is similar to bills introduced in other states in an effort to alter the legal status of animals and provide them with rights, including individual representation, traditionally reserved for children and other people lacking legal capacity.
AKC abhors animal cruelty and strongly believes that those who harm animals should be held accountable. However, bills such as HB 1169 implicitly establish rights for animals, but do nothing to improve the wellbeing of animals or enforce laws to protect animals. Illinois already has numerous state laws regarding animal cruelty and neglect, and an adequate judicial process in place to handle these situations.
For talking points and more information:
- View one-pager Laws That Provide Court- Appointed Animal Advocates Could Undermine Animal Welfare
- Visit AKC GR’s Legal Status of Animals Key Issues Page
What You Can do:
Illinois residents are strongly encouraged to do the following prior to the hearing on Tuesday, February 14:
- Create a Witness Slip in opposition. Visit the House Judiciary-Criminal Committee hearing page and click on the “create witness slip” icon next to HB 1169 to register your opposition.
- Contact the members of the House Judiciary-Criminal Committee and express your opposition to HB 1169. If you are a constituent, be sure to mention that when contacting them:
Justin Slaughter (Chair- Chicago)
(217)782-0010
justin@repslaughter.com
Kelly Cassidy (Vice-Chairperson – Chicago)
(217)782-8088
repcassidy@gmail.com
Patrick Windhorst (Harrisburg)
(217)782-5131
windhorst@ilhousegop.org
Kambium Buckner (Chicago)
(217)782-2023
Buckner@illinois26.com
Rep. John Cabello (Freeport)
(217) 782-8186
cabello@ilhousegop.org
David Friess (Red Bud)
(217) 782-1018
friess@ilhousegop.org
Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (Glenview)
(217) 782-4194
info@gonggershowitz.com
Edgar Gonzalez, Jr. (Summit)
(217)782-7752
repgonzalez21@gmail.com
Amy Grant (Wheaton)
(217)782-1037
grant@ilhousegop.org
Will Guzzardi (Chicago)
(217)558-1032
will@repguzzardi.com
Bob Morgan (Highwood)
(217) 782-0902
info@repbobmorgan.com
Kevin Olickal (Chicago)
(217) 782-1252
Kevin@RepKevinOlickal.com
Anne Stava-Murray (Downers Grove)
(217)782-6578
office@repstavamurray.com
Dennis Tipsword, Jr. (Pontiac)
(217) 782-0044
dennistipsword@ilga.gov
Dave Vella (Loves Park)
(217) 782-0455
repdavevella@gmail.com
AKC Government Relations and the Illinois Federation of Dog Clubs and Owners continue to monitor this and all Illinois legislation impacting dog owners. For more information, visit the AKC Legislative Action Center or email doglaw@akc.org.