New Law Aims To Further Protect Animals In DuPage County

DUPAGE COUNTY, IL — Animals will have further protections against cruelty now that a new law against animal cruelty in DuPage County has become official. The law adds stricter consequences for animal cruelty violations, not just for animal cruelty convictions, according to an update from the DuPage County State's Attorney's Office.

Per the amended Humane Care for Animal Act (Public Act 103-0490), residents who violate the act may be required to forfeit their animals. Courts can now also prohibit people who live in an offender's home from taking in animals. This prohibition can be effective for up to a lifetime.

Offenders who violate the conditions may have to:

• Forfeit their animals
• Be imprisoned for up to 90 days
• Be fined up to $2,500

“Recent cases of animal cruelty in DuPage County did not go far enough to protect the animals during the pendency of the case,” DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said in a statement.

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He added, "I am very pleased that with support from the General Assembly and Governor Pritzker’s signature, we are now able to remove these defenseless animals from their alleged abusers and provide them food, water, medical attention as needed and ultimately find them caring, loving homes.”