STATE SENATOR DAN KOTOWSKI TO PRESENT AMENDED PUPPY MILLS LEGISLATION

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MEDIA ADVISORY

STATE SENATOR DAN KOTOWSKI TO PRESENT AMENDED PUPPY MILLS LEGISLATION

SPRINGFIELD—State Senate Dan Kotowski (D-Park Ridge) will present an amended version of Chloe’s Bill (Senate Bill 53) in the Senate Licensed Activities Committee on Wednesday. The purpose of the bill is to put an end to ‘puppy mills,’ unscrupulous dog breeders who keep their animals in inhumane conditions.

It requires breeders to keep dogs in more comfortable cages and to provide them with outdoor runs when possible. It also prevents people who have been convicted of felony animal cruelty from obtaining breeding licenses.

Though many applauded the intent of the proposed legislation, a number of groups registered comments and suggestions for changes to the legislation with the Senator’s office. Always interested in finding the best solution to a problem, Senator Kotowski brought together a diverse group to improve the bill. The group included Democrats and Republicans, animal rights organizations and breeders, veterinarians, state agencies, and concerned citizens.

The senator agreed to amend the bill, largely to ensure that responsible breeders are not harmed by the measure. The amended legislation no longer places a cap on the number of dogs a breeder can own, nor does it include a fingerprinting requirement. It also includes a number of changes that bring it into line with current law, such as keeping licensure in the Department of Agriculture and keeping the requirements for obtaining a license unchanged. Moreover, Senator Kotowski has added language to ensure that people who breed as a hobby or to sell a small number of animals to friends and family are not included.

Senator Kotowski is scheduled to present the bill to the Licensed Activities committee on March 11 at approximately 3:00 p.m.

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