A press release from Rep. Allen Skillicorn:
Allen Skillicorn
From Cairo, Illinois to Crystal Lake, helpless pets will no longer be left out in the cold.
Today I introduced a bill (HB4380) that amends the Humane Care for Animals Act and provides that no owner of a dog or cat that is a companion animal may expose the pet in a manner that places the pet in a life-threatening situation for a prolonged period of time in extreme heat of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or above, or cold conditions of 20 degrees Fahrenheit or below that could:
(1) result in injury to or death of the animal; or
(2) result in hypothermia, hyperthermia, frostbite, or similar condition as diagnosed by a doctor of veterinary medicine.
A person convicted of a violation would be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. A second or subsequent conviction for a violation would be a Class 4 felony.
Equally important, would be a House Bill making the sale and distribution of Catnip, a Class X Felony.
More feel good, do nothing legislation.
When will he file some real legislation?
How about this one Skill:
HB587: Bill to Require Dog and Cat Owners to Bathe Pets Every 2 weeks and Give Treats Daily
What does the existing Humane Care for Animals Act provide for? If it already prohibits this sort of conduct for regular old “Spot”, “Fido” or “Fluffy” why do we need an amendment to spell out that it’s also illegal to do it to a companion animal? If it DOESN’T prohibit it for other dogs and cats, why the hell doesn’t it?
Do you have a definition of companion vs. service animals? Are they to be accorded the same treatment?
How about a law to make it more difficult for any pet lover to declare their pet a “companion animal” which allows them to traipse in and out of restaurants, food stores, health care facilities, buses and airplanes as if the owner’s life depended upon the ability to have their pets dander affect sanitation and aggravate the allergies of the rest of us.
I will grant you that in a few instances support or companion animals are necessary. Like anything else there has to be a balance. A few idiots will ruin it for everyone. Witness the moron who wanted to take their pet peacock on an airplane. I was recently on a flight where two airline employees had a “support dog” with them and allowed it out of its carrier and it was running up and down the aisle. Support dog my a**! The flight attendant told them to put it in the carrier and keep it there. We only learned that they were employees as we exited the plane and the lead flight attendant informed us of the fact and the fact that she was reporting their conduct to the airline.
Enough is enough.
Humane Care for Animals Act and provides that no owner of a dog or cat that is a companion animal may expose the pet in a manner that places the pet in a life-threatening situation for a prolonged period of time in extreme heat of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or above, or cold conditions of 20 degrees Fahrenheit or below that could:
I meant to add, offer some legislation that accomplishes something other than get your name out there. We had enough of that with Pam Althoff. I thought with her vacating the senate seat we might have some relief. Apparently not.
Psychosocial health care for all DEMOCRATS would have been
preferable and of greater benefit to the citizens of Illinois.
Now that would be ground breaking legislation – MAGA !
Okay, I couldn’t believe that Skillicorn would be a part of something this stupid.
Here is the relevant portion of the very act he seeks to amend:
510 ILCS 70/3.01) (from Ch. 8, par. 703.01)
Sec. 3.01. Cruel treatment.
(a) No person or owner may beat, cruelly treat, torment, starve, overwork or otherwise abuse any animal.
(b) No owner may abandon any animal where it may become a public charge or may suffer injury, hunger or exposure.
(c) No owner of a dog or cat that is a companion animal may expose the dog or cat in a manner that places the dog or cat in a life-threatening situation for a prolonged period of time in extreme heat or cold conditions that:
(1) results in injury to or death of the animal; or
(2) results in hypothermia, hyperthermia, frostbite,
or similar condition as diagnosed by a doctor of veterinary medicine.
And, here is the wording of his amendment:
Amends the Humane Care for Animals Act. Provides that no owner of a dog or cat that is a companion animal may expose the dog or cat in a manner that places the dog or cat in a life-threatening situation for a prolonged period of time in extreme heat of 100 degrees Fahrenheit or above or cold conditions of 20 degrees Fahrenheit or below that could: (1) result in injury to or death of the animal; or (2) result in hypothermia, hyperthermia, frostbite, or similar condition as diagnosed by a doctor of veterinary medicine.
So, it would appear that his only concern is for “companion animals” Screw the ordinary household pets and service animals. He doesn’t care. Well, maybe he does but why place such specificity with regard to temperatures into the act and specify that it applies only to companion animals.
What we really need, it seems, is legislation to prevent people who ingest too much exhaust from race cars from writing legislation.
Catnip, a Class X Felony?
“While some say that smoking the herb catnip can lead to feelings of euphoria in humans, most doctors don’t believe that this is true. It is believed, however, that the sedative effects of catnip on humans can help to ease frayed nerves and anxiety in small dosages, or induce sleep in larger doses.”
More regulations on naturally growing plants?
Nonsense! Owners of companion animals are the most caring people in the world, don’t know about companion cats though, they should all be shot, then no problem.
How about a bill to stop geoengineering our skies?
the nob, my concern is for the clever and subtle conspiracy, to humiliate the honorable and decent Illinois Feline Community, with the use of strong herb.
I have even more critical Illinois Leg requests, such as requiring Disney to fully cloth characters, such as the exhibitionists Winnie the Pooh and Donald Duck, which I can post at your request.
DJ, is Porn allowed on this site?
Aren’t compassionate conservatives admirable? Introducing and supporting bills to protect companion animals while despising and trashing human undocumented immigrants? Should we put our sunshine blogger’s cat in Mt. Rushmore? Stay tuned…tic, tock, tic, tock, tic, tock, tic, tock…
No domesticated animal should be left out in extreme conditions. It’s cruel and can kill them. Each county should have a law against doing this. I don’t think it’s funny. It’s stupid and immoral.
Because the nanny state wasn’t quite big enough.
@Landon Friese
Agreed, but why allow these goofs to grandstand and pass laws that protect specific classes of animals. The way this law is currently written and even with Sillycorn’s amendment it can be argued that it only protects “companion” animals.
Further, it is and should be a STATE law so there is no patchwork. It is then universally prohibited throughout the state.
It doesn’t really do anything by setting the number of degrees (hot or cold). Your Mexican hairless will freeze a lot quicker than your St Bernard. Different dogs, different situation and ability to withstand the cold. Then too, a dog kept outside with access to a heated or insulated dog house adapts somewhat permanently to those conditions and thrives. Not just my thought, was told that by the vet years ago. Shelter from the wind and rain and plenty of food and water count a great deal.
This is the Nanny State living our lives for us. Like they don’t have anything more important to do?
For human lice like llavando, it’s all about changing the demographic and turning America into another narco state Venezuelan style!
No kidding, Watching. How stupid are we!
Companion cat, have you all gone berserk?
@Angel
My dog has proper papers and a legal right to be in this country.