SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — State representatives passed a plan Thursday night to ban people from keeping servals, caracals, wallabies or kangaroos as pets.
House Democrats argue these animals are too dangerous for people to keep in their homes, and Rep. Daniel Didech (D-Buffalo Grove) said law enforcement and animal control professionals requested a change in state law.
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"A serval is a wild African cat," Didech said. "It cannot be domesticated. In my opinion and in the opinion of animal control professionals and law enforcement, it has no place in a residential neighborhood."
This comes months after a serval escaped from a Decatur man's apartment less than two weeks after he bought the animal.
However, some House Republicans feel a statewide ban is a step too far.
"If you had an animal like this get loose in your town, let your town outlaw it," Rep. Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) said Thursday. "But, why does the rest of the state have to be punished because of it?"
Didech said his proposal still allows these animals to be used for television and film production in Illinois as long as there is a licensed exhibitor on site.
The legislation passed out of the House on a 67-34 vote with three representatives voting present.
House Bill 4446 will now move to the Senate for further consideration.
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