Prairie State Wire

House legislators on Tuesday Mar. 9, approved a bill that puts restrictions on pet owners.

The Illinois House Judiciary-Criminal Committee passed House Bill 168 which targets owners who infringe on animal rights, harm them or violate dog-fighting and entertainment-pet rules. The bill, which is unselective to animals, will see violators being banned from owning an animal for a period to be determined by the judge.

Rep. Kelly Cassidy (D-Chicago) stressed that animal abusers pose a threat to humans as well. 

We’re not talking about someone who did one bad thing to one animal,” said Cassidy as reported by Week.com. “We’re talking about someone who is engaging in cruelty, who is a threat to the rest of the household, quite frankly.”

Rep. Deanne Mazzochi (R-Elmhurst) expressed concern over the bill which does not offer medical exemption, saying this could make it difficult for families who rely on support animals.

“You would be putting that person into a scenario, particularly if it’s a child, where they may have to actually separate from their families and establish a new household in order to accommodate for their disability,” said Mazzochi to Week.com. “That particular aspect I have a concern with.”

Mazzochi was also against punishing an innocent child by taking the pet away for a crime they did not commit.

Sponsor Daniel Didech (D-Buffalo Grove) said he is planning on adding an amendment to the bill which never advanced to the Senate back in 2019. He wants to clarify language surrounding judge requirements.