Dupage Policy Journal

Sen. John Curran (R-Downers Grove) has received a perfect score from the Illinois Humane Society Legislative Fund (HSLF) after voting to advance four animal cruelty bills earlier this year.

Curran shared a press release on Facebook on Dec. 22 announcing his perfect score. 

“We have seen some horrific stories in the news this year about abuse of animals, the inhumane treatment of pets that are sold through puppy mills, and bad actors taking advantage of consumers," Curran wrote in his Facebook post. "This year, I was proud to help advance legislation that addresses these and other areas regarding dogs, cats, and other animals."

The release said that every year the HSLF issues scorecards for federal and state legislators that reflect how they voted on animal rights legislation. In 2021, lawmakers were scored by the HSLF for their votes on four bills including the Humane Pet Store Act (HB 1711), Predatory Pet Sales Loans (HB 572), Mandatory Forfeiture (HB 168) and Wildlife Trafficking (HB 395).  

Curran voted in favor of all four bills, earning him the perfect score, the release states. The bills prohibit the sale of commercially raised dogs and cats in pet stores, prohibit sellers and breeders from charging high rates for pets and financing them through a third-party, prohibit individuals convicted of two offenses of animal abuse from owning a pet and expand protections for an increased number of endangered species.  

American Humane reports these new anti-cruelty animal protection laws will take effect on Jan. 1. After they take effect, those who have abused animals through aggravated cruelty, using them for entertainment, or dogfighting can be barred from owning animals. 

This comes as TuftsNow reports an estimated one million pets are abused or killed during episodes of domestic violence every year.