Tails in the News

New laws affect felons and pet guardianship

On Jan. 1, Public Act 94-0818 went into effect in the state of Illinois. The law requires that persons convicted of certain felonies, such as forcible felonies, drug felonies, weapons felonies, and felonies involving animals must have their dogs spayed or neutered and microchipped if the animal is 12 weeks of age or older. Failure to comply is considered a Class A misdemeanor, and those released on parole could be found immediately in violation if other family members have dogs not in compliance with the law. If a dog is deemed vicious by the state of Illinois, a felon is prevented from residing with the dog. The law is not breed-specific. “Enforcing this law is one way to stop violent felons from engaging in dog fighting and to stop them from keeping their ‘weapons’ in homes or using them in neighborhoods,” says Cynthia Bathurst, co-chair of Dog Advisory Work Group. D.A.W.G. reminds residents that free or low-cost spay/neuter services are available for residents of specific zip codes through PAWS Chicago.

Chicago Police Department renames Animal Abuse Control Team

The Chicago Animal Abuse Control Team has been renamed the Animal Crimes Unit, in an effort to better reflect the mission and activities of the nine officers assigned to these duties. The current unit, under the leadership of Sergeant Brian Degenhardt, has refocused its efforts on criminal street gangs after conducting a statistical review of offenders arrested by the Chicago Police Department. They found that the majority of those arrested for crimes against animals are members of gangs. The Animal Crimes Unit is targeting the chronic problem of street gangs and its relation to guns, drugs, and dog fighting. With this new strategy in place, dangerous offenders can face felony criminal charges for offenses to animals and can be removed from the street before they can potentially victimize a human. Sergeant Degenhardt is currently off-duty while recovering from a medical emergency.

Disaster response training comes to Chicago area

Cable customers find new best friends on TV

Pet Adoptions on Demand, produced by Bill Kurtis Productions, has been bringing pets to the living rooms of Comcast subscribers in the Chicago area since January. Chicago Animal Care and Control is one of four shelters around the country working with Comcast for this On Demand feature, which provides video footage of adoptable animals currently residing at the shelter.
“They come over about twice a month and are very laid back,” says Anne Kent, executive director of Chicago Animal Care and Control. “Each session usually consists of the staff giving anecdotes about the animals.”
Kent says the show has been responsible for an increase in adoptions in addition to an increase in redemptions. “We’ve seen a wider range of adopters, especially people from the suburbs,” says Kent. “People also understand that this is the place to come
to find lost pets.”
She added that the effect can also be seen among Animal Care employees. “The show has helped to boost the morale of the staff when they see an increase in adoptions and a spike in redemption awareness,” Kent says.
Comcast is also showing Pet Adoptions on Demand in Denver in partnership with Dumb Friends League, in Atlanta through Paws Atlanta, and in Philadelphia through the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Comcast customers in the Chicago area can see the program by selecting “Get Local” and “Pet Adoption” on their On Demand menus.

Spotlight On: PetsNPatients

Seven years ago when Naperville resident Anne Marie Schrage-Glaviano was diagnosed with lupus, she was faced with some tough questions about what to do with her pets. Who was going to take care of her dog, cats, birds, bunnies, and guinea pigs while she was undergoing chemotherapy? Her background in elementary education for wildlife conservation helped her tap into a network of animal lovers who were able to find foster homes for her pets while times were difficult. Now that she’s recovered, not only does she have a home full of pets once again, but she’s found a way to help others going through crisis situations find temporary homes for their pets.
Her organization, PetsNPatients, collaborates with other groups to find foster homes for people who have experienced health challenges and need temporary caregivers for their companion animals, so they do not have to give away their pets to a shelter or rescue organization and can eventually be reunited. “We highlight how the companion animal bond helps recovery and someone’s day to day outlook,” says Schrage-Glaviano. “We’re not here to change anything. We’re here to preserve relationships.”
PetsNPatients focuses heavily on networking. Not only does the organization help introduce patients to medical professionals and support groups, it also provides them with an opportunity to tell others their story. On PetsNPatients.com, patients can write about their hardship and how their pet has helped them overcome their situation. Schrage-Glaviano is confident that these stories will inspire others in similar situations and drive the process.
In its year and a half existence, its already been awarded a $15,000 Banfield’s Charitable Trust Award Grant, and its chosen Naperville Animal Heartline Humane Association as its charter member. Animal Heartline is both assisting PetsNPatients in finding temporary homes for people in crisis situations and helping it find new forever homes for people who may unexpectedly be sent to permanent care facilities without their pets.
Schrage-Glaviano says the organization will print a calendar of patients with their pets, which will be published this summer. Profits from the sale will go towards furthering PetsNPatients’ mission, which she plans to expand to reach people going through all types of temporary crises.
“Disability is one of the biggest unseen disasters that can hit any person in this country,” she says. “It’s a small sneaky thing that can just take a person’s life. And if that person loves animals, [he or she] needs that unconditional love through healing.”
To fill out a volunteer application or to find out more information about the organization, visit PetsNPatients.com.

Bush signs animal fighting bill

President Bush recently signed the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act (Bill H.R. 137), which will create felony penalties for the trafficking or purchase of animals used in illegal fighting rings. The new law, which was passed by the senate in April, will make it a federal offense to promote or sponsor animal fighting events, giving law enforcement agents more power when enforcing the budding world of dog and cockfighting. Animal fighting is a popular underground sport often linked to gangs and drug trafficking and is considered to be an inhumane and cruel activity, often resulting in injuries or fatalities for the animal participants. Lately cockfighting has become a major player in the spread of bird flu, often brought on by exposure to birds in tight quarters. By raising this issue to a federal level supporters and legislators hope to crack down on the industry and put an end to the cruelty bestowed on the animals. The law has been in the works for six years and the final approval from President Bush shows action is being taken to thwart future inhumane fights. Violators of the new law could receive fines up to $250,000 and could face up to three years in prison. For more information on the pending bill visit Congress.gov.