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SB 4180

ANIMAL CONTROL ACT-ATTACK

104th Regular Session Introduced by Jil Tracy

The bill adds criminal penalties for owners who negligently fail to provide care or control after an animal attack, with offenses escalating by outcome.

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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 4180

Overview

SB4180, introduced in the 104th Illinois General Assembly, amends the Animal Control Act to strengthen penalties for dog or other animal attacks in which the owner negligently fails to provide adequate care or control. The bill adds criminal offenses to complement existing civil liability, establishing different felony/misdemeanor classifications based on the severity of the outcome (damages, serious bodily injury, or death).

Purpose and intent

  • To deter negligence by animal owners in preventing attacks and injuries.
  • To hold owners criminally accountable in addition to civil liability when inadequate care or control leads to an attack or injury.
  • To clarify the definitions surrounding what constitutes an “animal attack,” “serious bodily injury,” and “victim of the animal attack.”

Key provisions

  • Civil liability remains for the victim of an animal attack, with the owner liable for the full amount of injury proximately caused.
  • New criminal liability if the owner negligently fails to provide adequate care or adequate control:
    • Class A misdemeanor for negligent failure to provide adequate care or control (under the circumstances).
    • Class 4 felony if the damage from the attack exceeds $750 or if the victim suffers serious bodily injury.
    • Class 3 felony if the victim dies as a result of the attack.
  • Definitions:
    • “Animal attack”: a dog or other animal, without provocation, attacks or injures a person lawfully in a public or private space.
    • “Serious bodily injury”: an injury with substantial risk of death, or that causes serious disfigurement or protracted loss/impairment of function.
    • “Victim of the animal attack”: the person attacked or injured by the animal while lawfully in the place.

Who/what is affected

  • Animal owners or custodians whose dog or other animal attacks or injures a person without provocation.
  • Victims of animal attacks (for civil damages and potential criminal penalties tied to the owner’s negligence).
  • Animals as the causal factor in civil and criminal liability scenarios.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective date: immediately upon becoming law.
  • The bill operates by amending Section 16 of the Animal Control Act (510 ILCS 5/16).
  • Establishes parallel pathways: civil liability for the victim plus potential criminal charges against the owner for negligent care/control, with escalating felony levels based on outcome.

Practical impact and considerations

  • Could increase the consequences for owners of dogs or other animals in attack cases, potentially influencing owner responsibility and animal handling practices.
  • Creates a stronger incentive for owners to exercise proper control, supervision, and care to prevent attacks.
  • May affect enforcement priorities for local authorities and law enforcement in animal control and cruelty/bite cases.

Note: This summary reflects the introduced bill text and its stated provisions. If enacted, the bill would replace or augment current penalties with the described criminal classifications tied to negligence and outcomes of animal attacks.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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