Dupage Policy Journal

During a House Judiciary Criminal Committee session discussing HB 168 or the Amendment to the Humane Care for Animals Act, Illinois State Rep. Deanne Mazzochi (R-Elmhurst) commented on the bill by clarifying the provision stating that a household member living with another person convicted of animal cruelty charges, cannot own another animal. 

"If for example, you have someone in the household who needs a Seeing-Eye dog, and that's more of related to American with Disabilities Act. You would be putting that person into a scenario particularly with a child where they may have to separate from their family to establish a new household in order to accommodate for their disability. That particular aspect, I have a concern with," Mazzochi said.

“Relatedly, we know in the context of domestic violence issues, animals can sometimes be a huge source of comfort for a child,” Mazzochi added as she also urged the need for the bill to also protect the innocent household members who didn’t engage in any criminal activity regarding cruelty to animals.  

Representative Daniel Didech (D-Buffalo Grove) assured Mazzochi that the improved version of the bill gives the judge discretions and ability to balance those interests of individuals who would need a dog or other animals to aid their disabilities.