EvyJo Compton
Reporter
On Jan. 1, 2016, a law was signed into effect by Bruce Rauner making it a Class A misdemeanor for leaving your pets out in the extreme cold or hot. Those convicted can face a fine of up to $2,500 or up to one year in prison.
According to q985online.com, the rise of deaths and injuries in pets due to extreme hot or cold conditions is what sparked the amendment to the Humane Care for Animals Act.
According to the Illinois General Assembly online records, the amendment reads: “No owner of a dog or cat that is a companion animal may expose the dog or cat in a manner that places the dog or cat in a life-threatening situation for a prolonged period of time in extreme heat or cold conditions that results in injury to or death of the animal.”
Those in favor of the law want better treatment of pets, especially dogs. According to BarkPost.com, the weather affects pets just as much as humans. Whether it is hot outside or cold, canines feel the conditions, although certain dog breeds will be affected more than others. The supporters of the law want to protect dogs and other pets from dehydration or heat stroke in the hot weather conditions and hypothermia or frostbite in the cold.
Supporters of the law want fewer deaths and injuries from companion animals being exposed to the elements for too long. For example, if it’s too hot for a person to be out without risk of injury, or death, then there should be no reason for the pet to be out in the same conditions. Just because they are an animal does not make it okay to leave them in the elements and risk harming the pet.
This law is meant to protect animals from conditions that they cannot control. For example, petcha.com states that it will only take roughly 10 minutes on an 85 degree Fahrenheit day for the inside of a car to reach a temperature of 102 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a dangerous temperature for dogs and can result in heat stroke. If the dog is not cooled down appropriately before the car gets hotter, the dog could pass away from complications of heat stroke.
Even a cracked window will not give sufficient temperature control for pets. Petcha.com states that a dog can overheat even in a moving car if the temperature gets too hot. No matter if the windows are down all the way or not.
On the other hand, leaving a dog or any other pet, out in the cold can also negatively affect them. Avma.org states that there is a misconception that animals, because of their fur, can tolerate cold better than humans when this is not always the case.
There are limits to how long a pet can stay out in the cold, the same as humans. Avma.org says that it would be better to keep pets inside during the winter so that there is minimal risk of frostbite or hypothermia, no matter what breed or length of fur they have.
On the other side of the spectrum, opponents to the law, believe that the law is getting too deep into what people do with their personal pets, who are legal property. According to ChicagoTribune.com, some opponents believe that there are already enough laws out there regulating what happens to pets, and adding this one is pointless.
If one law cuts back on the amount of deaths of dogs and cats each year due to the extreme weather conditions, then it is absolutely necessary.
The charge being a misdemeanor is gracious as well; it is not a felony like most animal abuse cases are now. We, as humans, have a responsibility to take care of the animals we choose as companions. Having one more law that protects animals that cannot protect themselves is a good step forward, and is not overreaching into people’s personal lives.
Moving forward off this law, Illinois needs to follow in the steps of Tennessee and other states that now protect citizens who break pets out of cars on hot days.