companion animal hoarder- proposed Illinois legislation

[cassiesmom]

I got this from Harmony House, the shelter from which I adopted Cassie. They don't get too involved in legal matters on a regular basis. Harmony House is opposed because they feel there should be an exemption for shelters. I think that's an appropriate reason to be opposed. I put this in the Dog House for anyone who wants to comment or, if you live in Illinois, if you want to research this further and follow up.

If you need to know who your state representative is, go here: http://www.elections.state.il.us/


Thank you,
Elyse


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HB 1166, introduced on 2/8/11 by Rep. Patrick J. Verschoore (from Rock Island), defines anyone with 7 companion animals as a "Companion Animal Hoarder," no matter how good their care UNLESS you have a special permit from your County.

The first violation is a ...Class B misdemeanor; the second and any subsequent offenses are Class 4 Felonies, with each day counting as a separate offense.

There is NO explicit exemption of IL licensed breeders, rescues, vets, kennels, stables, pet dealers, pet stores, research labs, etc.

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/97/H...00HB1166lv.pdf
PLEASE contact your state representative with regard to this bill, and forward this information to others who will also take action.

[Karen]

A limit of 7 seems far too low - so if you have 3 cats, 2 dogs and two hamsters you're considered a hoarder?

[Freedom]

Karen, hamsters are not considered companion animals, but you raise a good point -- what is their definition of that phrase?

Also, what is their definition of "anyone?" If it means a human being, then rescues, vets, stables would not be covered. Note that a rescue for this purpose would have to have a shelter, a "facility." A rescue which uses foster homes, each foster home would be limited.

[momcat]

Hi Elyse, I recommend that you, or someone, check the legal definition of "person". I do legal research for a living and have found that words or phrases we use and know to mean one thing takes on a completely different definition when it comes to an aspect of law. Depending on the definition in your state statutes, rescues, shelters, vets, etc may not be affected. PM me if you'd like some help with this.

[cassiesmom]

I think the existing text isn't clear enough. But I don't think the proposed changes go quite far enough to show the difference between a person (who might have a problem with animal hoarding) and a legitimate group working on behalf of pets, like a shelter/rescue program or a breeder. I hope they reject it not because it is a bad idea, but because it could be better.

[Twisterdog]

An AC officer told me today they are proposing similar legislation in Wyoming, but the limit will be 30 animals. Ok, that's probably valid ... if you have 30 animals, and you are not a 501c3 shelter, you probably ARE a hoarder.

But seven?? That's ridiculous. I have nine dogs right now, plus a foster in the house. I also have eight rescues in the boarding kennel. Am I a hoarder? Absolutely not.

[Cataholic]

I am with Twisterdog. I have a dog, 9 cats, 6 ferals in the garage and sometimes a Foster dog. 7 animals is ridiculous. Stop legislating stupidity and enforce the laws in place. Animal cruelty and animal neglect and hoarding should be based on a situation, not a number pulled out of someone's arse.

[Alysser]

They finally get a decent idea for animal hoarders, but they do something stupid like proposing a 7 animal limit? I also think it's important to look at the condition of the house, animals health, human health in every situation. Not just the raw numbers of the household. What about foster pets? Or the people who rescue dogs frequently from bad situations? They are far from hoarders.

[Catherinedana]

Distressing that it's sort of an "all or nothing" situation here. Yes, there needs to be legislation to protect animals that are living in a hoarding environment. Does having 7 companion animals make you a hoarder? No. I have 10 birds. They all fit neatly into one room. I have no intention of getting another (unless the universe has other plans for me ). They are well-fed, clean and loved. I have seen hoarding situations and it is EXTREMELY OBVIOUS when you are confronted with it. *sigh*

Just a for instance: if that legislation was passed in FL, and I had to give up 3 of my (happy, healthy, well-tended) birds, what do I do with them? Give them to a shelter? Then what? They sit there unloved until they are put to sleep? They die from fright or despair (birds do, you know)? It doesn't make any sense.

[TMC]

Hi all! I'm a newbie I followed a link about this proposed legislation and it brought me here to this site and this discussion board. Thank you for having me and forgive my long winded rant here, lol!

I understand the need to stop the 'out of control animal hoarders' when they live in filth and neglect to provide their animals with simple basic vet care. But that type of hoarding is a mental health issue and should be addressed as such.

With that being said, I feel the only thing this legislation will do is cause more over crowding in shelters, more unnessesary euthanizing, and more cruel dumping and abandoning of these companion animals when their owners fear a prosecution of having more than 7.

Next let me say, I am in no way an animal hoarder even though I do not run a 501c3 shelter. To explain I live in a small rural town where there are no licensed shelters or animals control for that matter. If a call come in about a 'nuisance animal', or local police are dispatched out to investigate and take care of the problem as they see fit. Usually the animals are shot or run over with their police car. True story. Last summer a police officer was called for a sick raccoon in my yard and instead of shooting it he ran it over in my grass while I screamed and cried my opinion about it.

When I first moved to my neighborhood 3 years I quickly discovered stray cats everywhere here and they were allowed to breed and muliply and were living in the storm sewers. I then discovered one neighbor was trapping and poisoning them, so I took matters into my own hands. I had them all spayed, neutered and vaccinated and then I built a huge enclosure for these strays which has a big fenced in outside area with access to half a heated garage for inside housing. I keep 10 cats out there that are just not suitable for adoption and 10 cats at my parent's barn, and I also have 7 house cats, (one of who just turned 20 years old).....27 in total that I keep myself. In addition to the above cats, I have adopted out 9 others to nursing homes as resident cats and I have re-homed 15 more to good families who I keep in contact with. That's an addional total of 24 more.

I am financially able to care for them and all are healthy and clean and I should have taken out stock with my vet, lol! And I have lots of pictures to prove this . I cannot understand how they can pass a legislation of this sorts for EVERYONE and define ANYONE with more than 7 companion animals a "Companion Animal Hoader" no matter how good their care, and press criminal charges on anyone who does.

Funny how you can now carry a gun into public with just a simple permit now. And you can 'pack' while you grocery shop or wherever else you want to take it.....but more than 7 animals will be a criminal offense!

[catland]

hmm - sounds to me like this is isn't about animal welfare but is just looking for another way to generate revenue for the state coffers.

Wonder how much those "special" permits cost?

[IRescue452]

We're only allow 4 dogs in the state and 3 dogs or cats in our city. Cats aren't regulated. Birds, fish, rodents, rabbits, ferrets, and reptiles are not included as companion animals. They're exotics and have seperate regulations.