Springfield, IL- Three new legislative initiatives that will enhance animal protection in Illinois were signed into law by Governor Quinn this week. State Senator Linda Holmes (D - Aurora), an active animal welfare advocate, is the sponsor of all three laws. Holmes’ first bill, House Bill 4036, prohibits an animal shelter or animal control facility from adopting out any dog or cat that has not been sterilized or fitted with a microchip. Under the Illinois Complied Statutes, this stipulation exists only as part of the Animal Shelter Act. House Bill 4036 was introduced to include this language under the Animal Welfare Act, making both statutes consistent. The original language was crafted to maintain pet populations and ensure that problematic or lost pets can be tracked if necessary.

“This law is already on the books, but we wanted to make sure that the lack of notation under the Animal Welfare Act did not make it vulnerable to abuse,” Holmes said. “We want to ensure that these animals have the utmost protection under the law and that all statutes are consistent.”

The other two bills signed by Governor Quinn address individuals convicted of supporting dog fighting activities. House Bill 69 increases the penalties for various animal fighting violations, turning them all from Class A misdemeanors into Class 4 felonies. These types of violations include possessing, selling, or transporting devices or equipment intended to be used in dog fighting, providing a site or facility that will be used for animal or dog fighting, and knowingly patronizing a dog fight. All of these activities are punishable by 1-3 years in jail and a $25,000 fine.

House Bill 934 makes it illegal for any individual convicted of dog fighting to own an unsterilized or vicious dog. Under the current law, unsterilized or vicious dogs may not be owned by anyone who has been convicted of a forcible felony, a felony violation of the Humane Care of Animals Act, or a felony violation of the firearms Article of the Criminal Code. Adding individuals convicted of dog fighting to the current list of prohibited owners will further protect these dogs.

“Dog fighting is a horrible activity and there is no place for it in civil society,” Holmes stated. “Our goal is to implement strict penalties that deter individuals from participating in these awful acts.”