DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) — Earlier this month, Decatur released an updated version of their animal cruelty ordinance that puts more responsibility on pet owners.
The council approved the changes to City Code Chapter 47 on September 3, and the updates were enforced immediately. The updated ordinance establishes the following rules:
- The prohibition of the starvation and mistreatment of animals
- Shelters must be provided for pets and must be made of weather-resistant materials with solid walls on all sides. Shelters must also have a dry floor and sloped roof and be sufficient in size to permit free movement.
- Collars must fit properly, and no choke collars, ropes, chains, or cords can be directly attached to animals' necks.Â
- Leashes and tethers must be at least 12 feet in length and, and animals aren't allowed to be tethered to at vacant structures without being monitored by an adult. Animals also cannot be tethered to motorized vehicles. Sick or injured animals or animals under 6 months cannot be tethered at all.Â
- Diseased or sick animals must receive proper medical care. They should also be quarantined from other animals to prevent transmission of diseases or illness.Â
Ryan Huffer, the City of Decatur's Communications Coordinator, said that updates to the ordinance came about because community members and local organizations advocating for change. "We did listen to the community. We listen to these animal rights organizations and worked together to make some commonsense changes." said Huffer.
Huffer said that now that the updates to the ordinance are law, the city wants the community to know how to report instances of animal cruelty. "We're just hoping to empower some of our citizens in letting them know we've made these changes now." Huffer explained. "And now it's on, the community to help us, protect our pets and animals."
If someone suspects animal cruelty, they should report it to Animal Control at 217-424-1311, so Animal Control can begin and investigation.
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