Now citizens can provide free emergency care for injured animals without fear of lawsuit
There is great news for animal lovers who live in Illinois. Governor Rod Blagojevich recently signed HB 5076, resulting in
Public Act 095-0868. This law has revised section five of The Humane Care for Animals Act.
The newly added section reads:
Sec. 16.5. Emergency care to an animal; immunity from civil liability. Any person, including without limitation any person licensed under the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery Practice Act of 2004 or licensed as a veterinarian in any other state or territory of the United States, who in good faith provides emergency care or treatment without fee to an injured animal or an animal separated from its owner due to an emergency or a disaster is not liable for civil damages as a result of his or her acts or omissions in providing or arranging further care or treatment, except for willful or wanton misconduct.In addition, it lists the statute of limitations of two years for a violation of The Humane Care for Animals Act.
HB 5076 passed both the Illinois House and Senate unanimously among those voting and became effective August 20, 2008.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
• Thank
Representative Sara Feigenholtz for introducing the bill, your state Senator and Representative (find out who represents you
here), and
Governor Rod Blagojevich for voting this bill into law. Let them know that you are a constituent and that animal welfare is an important topic to you.
For more information:
•
HB 5076•
Humane Care for Animals Act**Best Friends Animal Society has not taken a position of support or opposition to this piece of legislation. For more information on how animal legislation is reported on the Best Friends Network, click here.Posted by Jennifer Hayes, Best Friends staff
Photo credit: photo taken by Jennifer Hayes.