Next week is the deadline for House bills in Illinois to get an initial committee hearing, and there are several critical bills for dog owners still pending. It is important for dog owners and clubs to register your opposition online today on key measures pending in two committees:
House Agriculture and Conservation Committee:
HB 1902 – Mandatory Genetic Testing and Sterilization
HB 1902 seeks to require all breeders to “have their dogs genetically tested for diseases that cause early death or physical impairments.” If a “genetic defect or mutation” is found that would cause this, it would require that the dog sterilized immediately. Read AKC’s previous alert for more information.
This bill remains pending in the House Agriculture Committee after numerous clubs across the state registered their opposition before a possible hearing earlier this month. Your help is needed again! Even if you previously registered your opposition, use the following steps to once again let the committee know you/your club oppose this legislation:
1) Visit the House Agriculture and Conservation Hearing Committee page
2) Scroll down to HB1902 “Animal Welfare-Dog-Genetic Tst” and click the pencil icon under the “Witness Slips” column
3) Fully complete the online witness slip form. Include the name of your club in the “Representation” section if applicable. Select “Opponent”, and click “Record of Appearance Only”.
4) Select the box to accept the ILGA Terms of Agreement and click “Create (Slip)”
House Judiciary-Criminal Committee:
House Bill 3367 – “Lawyers for Dogs”
This bill would allow dogs their own advocate in court for cruelty cases. We are appreciative that language AKC and the Illinois Federation of Dog Clubs requested in previous sessions has once again been added to protect the legal status of animals as property. However, AKC and our state federation remained concerned that the bill implicitly establishes rights for animals, but does nothing to improve the well-being 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.
House Bill 3222 – Expanding Provisions for Seizure of Animals
This bill expands the violations for which animals may be seized from owners to include offenses such as failing to provide proper food, water, shelter, and veterinary care.
The AKC strongly believes that all dog owners must properly care for their animals, and that all animals deserve lives in a safe, humane, and healthy environment. Those truly harming animals should be held accountable. However, AKC is concerned about the one-size-fits-all nature of this punishment that could include minor infractions that can be corrected and do not rise to the level of a serious offense.
How to submit witness slips for HB 3367 and HB 3222:
1) 1) Visit the House Judiciary- Criminal Committee hearing page
2) Scroll down to HB 3222 “Humane Care-Animals-Penalties” and HB 3367 “Crim Pro-Special Advocates” (both on page 3), and click the pencil icon next to each bill
3) For each bill, fully complete the online witness slip form. Include the name of your club in the “Representation” section if applicable. Select “Opponent”, and click “Record of Appearance Only”.
4) Select the box to accept the ILGA Terms of Agreement and click “Create (Slip)”
AKC Government Relations continues to closely monitor all bills impacting dog owners in Illinois and will provide updates as they are available. For questions or more information, contact AKC GR at doglaw@akc.org.