SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Springfield City Council approved changes to the city's animal cruelty and animal fighting ordinances Tuesday night.
According to the ordinance fact sheet, the fee for first-time offenders convicted of animal cruelty or animal fighting will be raised from $1,000 to $10,000.
The fines will now increase by $10,000 for every repeat offense, with the cap being at $50,000 for the fifth and each following offense.Â
If a person convicted of animal cruelty is the owner of the animal, the $10,000 fee must be paid before the animal can be released. Any following violations will result in a banning of ownership for a two-year period.
If a person convicted of animal fighting is the owner of the animal, violations will result in a banning of ownership for a two-year period, even if it is the first offense.
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