(The Center Square) – Dogs, cats and cows are the subjects of legislation under consideration at the Illinois Capitol.
State Rep. Barbara Hernandez, D-Aurora, has filed 23 bills this year and co-sponsored more than 50. Hernandez said she cares about a lot of legislation in different categories.
“But, of course, I also care about animals. I want to make sure we protect them from unfortunate surgeries,” Hernandez told The Center Square.
Hernandez filed House Bill 2410 to restrict pet euthanasia in shelters. The measure would amend the Humane Euthanasia in Animal Shelters Act to provide that no person may euthanize a cat, dog or other pet in an animal shelter except for health reasons, attitude issues or aggressiveness.
In a previous session, Hernandez proposed banning the practice of declawing cats.
“Families take their cats and try to declaw them because they don’t want to get scratched or they don’t want maintenance on their claws or their furniture is going to get destroyed or for whatever reason they might have,” Hernandez said. “I feel like that shouldn’t be the reason why cats get declawed and pretty much amputated up to their knuckle.”
State Rep. Jennifer Sanalitro, R-Hanover Park, filed House Bill 1902, which would require breeders to genetically test dogs. Canines with genetic defects or diseases that cause early death or impairment would have to be sterilized.
State Rep. Curtis Tarver II, D-Chicago, introduced House Bill 3056 to ban dogs under the age of eight weeks from being brought into Illinois.
Tarver also filed House Bill 3647, which would require dogs and cats to undergo veterinary exams if they are imported into Illinois by animal shelters or animal control facilities. The bill provides that, for such dogs or cats, the animal shelter or animal control facility must provide the licensed veterinarian’s examination document to the animal’s adopter prior to the time of adoption.
State Sen. Julie Morrison, D-Lake Forest, filed Senate Bill 128 to amend the Animal Control Act. In a provision regarding an exemption for rabies inoculation, if a licensed veterinarian determines in writing that a rabies inoculation would compromise an animal’s health, it provides that the determination is valid for one year but may be annually renewed thereafter by a licensed veterinarian.
State Sen. Rachel Ventura, D-Joliet, filed Senate Bill 45 to ban the practice of pulling cow tails.
Ventura posted an explanation on her website, stating that rodeos have long been a cornerstone of cultural heritage.
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“As we honor this cherished tradition, it is crucial to ensure that the welfare of animals remains at the forefront of rodeo practices,” Ventura said. “While many rodeo events adhere to ethical standards, there is a growing concern over certain practices, including the controversial act of tail pulling in bovines.”
SB 45 provides that no person may intentionally drag or pull any bovine by its tail by any means for the purpose of entertainment, sport, practice or contest.