United States-New welfare laws for farmers.

UNITED STATES-CONCERNS FOR ANIMAL WELFARE.

This week in the Illinois General Assembly Senate Assistant Majority Leader Sen. James A. DeLeo introduced a bill that would amend the state’s Humane Care for Animals Act.

As written it would prohibit a person from tethering or confining any covered animal, on a farm, for all or the majority of any day, in a manner that prevents the animal from lying down, standing up and fully extending his or her limbs or turning around freely. It would create exemptions from this requirement for scientific or agricultural research; examination, testing, individual treatment, or operation for veterinary purposes; transportation, and rodeo exhibitions, State or county fair exhibitions, 4-H programs and similar exhibitions.

Any person who violates this requirement would be guilty of a Class C misdemeanor and upon conviction be punished by a fine not to exceed $500, or by imprisonment not to exceed 180 days, or both.