DuPage County Committee Opposes Amendments to Animal Welfare Act

The DuPage County Legislative Committee voted Tuesday to oppose two bills before the Illinois Senate and House which would weaken local regulations designed to crack down on the sale of animals obtained through puppy mills and catteries.

Senate Bill 1882 and House Bill 2824 would bypass local ordinances and allow pet stores to sell animals from commercial breeders that have lower health and welfare standards, said Brian Krajewski, Chairman of the County’s Animal Care and Control Committee.

“DuPage County has read between the lines of SB1882 and HB 2824. We oppose this legislation and stand with our neighbors in Cook County, Chicago and Warrenville by insisting on laws that protect the consumer, raise the bar on animal welfare standards, encourage pet adoption and responsible breeding and bring about an end to animal cruelty for profit,” Krajewski said.

DuPage County Animal Care and Control is an open-admission shelter and is obligated by state statute to accept any animal surrendered to the facility, including sick and ill-tempered animals from puppy mills. Krajewski said passage of these bills would result in a decrease in public health, an increase in safety concerns and a significant lack of consumer protections from large-scale breeders that breed for volume rather than animal health or temperament.

The bills would also prevent municipalities or counties from enacting a local ordinance with stronger provisions. DuPage County supports the right of home-rule entities to adopt regulations in the best interest of their residents.

DuPage County remains open to working with legislators to adopt language for an appropriate statewide standard for animal welfare.