Illinois SB 2580 Animal Tethering

4/20/10 UPDATE: SB 2580 DEFEATED IN HOUSE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE

Text and status of SB 2580

Introduced January 21 by Senator Linda Holmes (D-Springfield);
additional cosponsors:
Senator Mattie Hunter (D-3)
Senator Ira I. Silverstein (D-8)
Senator Larry Bomke (R-50) *Removed as cosponsor
Senator Dan Kotowski (D-33)
Senator Michael Bond (D-31)
Representative Michael J. Zalewski(D-21)
Representative Carol A. Sente (D-59)
Representative Charles E. Jefferson (D-67)
April: added cosponsors Representatives Jack McGuire (D, 86); Linda Chapa LaVia (D, 83); Maria Antonia Berrios (D, 39); Paul D. Froehlich (D, 56); Michael J. Zalewski (D, 21)

SUMMARY: SB 2580 was amended, but is still unacceptable. For tethering to be allowed, The dog must not suffer from a condition that could be exacerbated by being tethered; may not be tethered between the hours of 10 pm and 6 am other than 15 minutes at a time. Punishment for violation of this tethering bill is excessive. A person convicted a second time would be charged with a Class 4 felony with every day that a violation continues constituting a separate offense. A Class 4 felony carries with it a minimum penalty of one year in prison. Should a person have multiple pets, and be convicted, they would have to undergo psychiatric evaluation and be investigated as an “animal hoarder”, and comply with a judge’s orders as to treatment. Of concern is the fact local ordinances will need to be updated to reflect tethering restrictions and many could increase tethering restrictions.