The Illinois House Agriculture & Conservation Committee is scheduled to consider a bill on Tuesday, February 22, that would remove the state ban on breed-specific legislation. All responsible dog owners are strongly encouraged to contact the committee and ask them to oppose House Bill 1080.
Summary:
Illinois is currently one of 11 states that specifically prohibit breed-specific laws. Under current law, vicious dogs “shall not be classified in a manner that is specific as to breed”, and municipalities may not pass any breed-specific regulations or ordinances.
House Bill 1080 strikes these provisions from current law, thereby allowing the state to declare specific breeds as “vicious” and allowing municipalities to enact breed-specific laws.
The AKC strongly opposes all breed-specific legislation and recognizes that dangerous dogs should be defined by their deeds, not their breeds. Read AKC's position statement on “Dangerous Dog” Control Legislation.
For talking points and more information:
Read AKC talking points on breed-specific legislation
Read the AKC Issue Analysis “Why Breed-Specific Legislation Doesn't Work”
How You Can Help:
- Attend the committee meeting on Tuesday, February 22, and politely express your opposition to House Bill 1080. The meeting information is as follows:
House Agriculture & Conservation Committee
Date: Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Time: 2:00 p.m.
Location: Illinois State Capitol Building
Room 122B
Springfield, Illinois - Contact the members of the committee and ask them to oppose House Bill 1080. Click on the names below for contact information:
Representative Lisa Dugan (Chairperson)
Representative Patrick Verschoore (Vice-Chairperson)
Representative Jim Sacia (Republican Spokesperson)
Representative Jason Barickman
Representative Kelly Burke
Representative John Cavaletto
Representative Mary Flowers
Representative Norine Hammond
Representative Chad Hays
Representative Frank Mautino
Representative Jack McGuire
Representative Donald Moffitt
Representative Brandon Phelps
Representative Dan Reitz
Representative Wayne Rosenthal
For more information, contact the AKC's Government Relations Department at (919) 816-3720 or doglaw@akc.org.
The Illinois House Agriculture & Conservation Committee is scheduled to consider a bill on…