Christ Yoder
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QUINCY (WFEM) – A new Illinois law hopes to reduce the number of animal abuse cases across the state.
As of January 1, it will be illegal for anyone convicted of a crime of animal abuse to own or live with an animal.
The goal is to make sure people don’t transfer ownership of pets to paper, while still living with pets.
The Quincy Humane Society is a local animal shelter that checks the backgrounds and assets of those who apply for adoption to make sure their animals go to a safe home.
Executive Director Pilar Brumbaugh said that while the new law won’t change what they do, she is happy that other shelters are making sure their animals stay safe.
“This background check is huge for us so it just puts us in what the state is doing,” Brumbaugh said. “I think it’s really great that everyone is on the same page for the state of Illinois, all focusing on animals.”
During the four months that Katie Davis was an adoption counselor at the Quincy Humane Society, she said she saw a number of animals that had been abused.
“From malnutrition, to skinny and hungry dogs, to real health problems – dogs that need surgery and need all of their teeth removed because they haven’t received proper health care. “said Davis.
Davis said it was devastating to know the locals were mistreating animals.
“Honestly it breaks your heart, but in a way it makes you happy that they ended up here with us so that we can make sure they can get a good home that they deserve,” said Davis.
Brumbaugh thinks this law has been a long time coming.
“They are animals. They don’t hurt when they’re in the right environment. They just need love, ”Brumbaugh said.
If you are applying for adoption, Brumbaugh said you should also be completely honest about what your home life is like now and what it would be like later.
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