The HSUS Applauds Law Enforcement Effort, Urges a Ban on Pet Primates in Illinois
CHICAGO – The Humane Society of the United States applauds the Chicago Police Department's Animal Crimes Unit for arresting a Chicago man on Saturday who allegedly neglected an endangered lemur and several dogs. He has been charged with violating the Humane Care for Animals Act, including three counts of violating owner's duties, one count of cruel treatment and one felony count of aggravated cruelty to an animal. The police department is working with federal officials to determine whether federal charges should be filed.
Last week, police seized two bull mastiffs from the individual's property. The dogs had reportedly been left outdoors without food or water. According to the Chicago Police Department, both dogs were in extremely poor condition, and one had to be euthanized due to severe neglect. On Saturday, police executed a search warrant for the same property and seized a ring-tailed lemur. The lemur reportedly had no food and little water and was standing in his own waste. The lemur and the remaining bull mastiff are being held by Chicago Animal Care and Control.
"The Humane Society of the United States commends the Chicago Police Department for their outstanding work to hold this individual accountable for the inhumane treatment of these animals and to put people on notice that animal cruelty will be prosecuted," said Jordan Matyas, Illinois state director for The HSUS. "The HSUS also calls on the State of Illinois to prohibit keeping primates as pets, as 20 other states have done."
Illinois prohibits other dangerous wild animals as pets such as lions, tigers, bobcats, bears, wolves and life-threatening reptiles. Primates are allowed, unless the locality has stricter rules. Keeping primates as pets threatens public health and safety as well as animal welfare. They can inflict serious injuries and spread life-threatening disease, and the average pet owner cannot meet their basic social and physical needs in captivity. Often acquired as infants, they can quickly grow too difficult to handle. They may end up confined to small cages, suffering from abuse and neglect.
At the federal level, The HSUS urges passage of the Captive Primate Safety Act, which would prohibit interstate commerce in primates as pets. Introduced by Reps. Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-Texas) and Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) in the House of Representatives (H.R. 2964) and by Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and David Vitter (R-La.) in the Senate (S. 1498), the bill passed the House in June and was approved by a Senate committee in July 2007.
Ring-tailed lemurs are native to Madagascar. Because they are an endangered species, buying them across state lines requires a federal permit.
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The Humane Society of the United States is the nation's largest animal protection organization – backed by 10.5 million Americans, or one of every 30. For more than a half-century, The HSUS has been fighting for the protection of all animals through advocacy, education, and hands-on programs. Celebrating animals and confronting cruelty – On the web at humanesociety.org.
