" I'll predict that when the announcement is made, as to the punishment for Rose, it will turn into a series of on line comments about electing Todd Reardon as the next states attorney, instead of more appropriate references as to the much needed reforms with animal abuse laws, as was pointed out so well in this editorial. "

" An article appeared in this paper in state news, where a man stabbed his dog, and it was charged as a felony.

Its admirable this paper takes up this cause, now that the case has been decided. Another example of siding with issues once the outcome is clear. Fake outrage is published, and until it happens again, these sentiments likely fall silent.

What are the laws in Illinois, on animals cases we have had? How is someone stabbing a dog up north a high bond bail, felony and here these cases get treated like jaywalking. Is that case a local statute, or does their prosecution simply know the law better?

This paper is following the assumption that the states attorney represented the peoples interests properly in this prosecution. Will they have the nerve, to determine if that was the case, or just leave it at presuming folks are doing what they say they are?

What number defines large scale? How tough are the current laws, in reality on the cases we have had here? From the guy who hit the neighbors puppy with a shovel, to the puppy mills and dog fighting, and the ernest rose glue farm.

Will this paper ever take up a cause it adopts or continually raise it and let it fall, as quickly as it came to them, if they said this, they could seem relevant on this weeks score chart? "

" Nice post Mike P. I also wondered why our judge thought we were entering uncharted territory in a case of animal abuse - yet it seems like there are at least 1/2 dozen shows on Animal Planet that prosecute animal abusers. Is it that Illinois is lacking laws to protect animals or it is that our local government is just not educated in the subject matter? Now I know that TV is TV, but it seems like people go to jail for far less than the 3 cases of animal abuse that have happened in our area in the last few months. "

" The aspca has a site, that lists state laws for animal cruelty or abuse.

Animals Humane Care for Animals Act) 510 ILCS 70/3.02 Aggravated cruelty

Summary: 'Companion Animal' = canine, feline, equine and other animals commonly considered to be pets or considered by owner to be pets (510 ILCS 70/2.01a) Prohibits intentionally committing an act that causes a companion animal to suffer serious injury or death.

Exception: Euthanasia through recognized methods approved by the Department of Agriculture.

Penalty:(510 ILS 70/16) 1st Offense: Class 4 Felony, one - three years confinement; maximum $25,000 fine or $50,000 for corporation. 2nd or Subsequent: Class 3 Felony, two - five years confinement; $500 fine, or $50,000 for a corporation. The Dept. may enjoin continuous violations. Arresting officer may seize all or some of companion animals in custody of offender. Officer must file affidavit and inventory with court and place animals in custody of animal shelter. Offender must receive written notice of seizure. Court may also order psych. evaluation and treatment at offender's expense. Court also may order forfeiture of all animals that are the basis of conviction, and court may order that offender and co-conspirators who live in same household as offender (or who knew/should have known of abuse) may not own or harbor any animals for a reasonable time. Mandatory psych. counseling for juveniles and companion animal hoarders.

For juvenile offender, as a condition of probation, the court must also order psych. evaluation and treatment. If the animal was an owned animal, civil action allowed for value of animal, vet expenses, emotional distress of owner and punitive damages ($500 - $25,000). Civil actions are authorized (see 510 ILSC 70/16.3 for details).

This is one of the laws they list for Illinois. This leads me to believe local prosecutors simply don't understand or choose not to enforce laws that are already on the books.

The Rose animals and other cases, here should meet this statute I would think. "

" (Animals Humane Care for Animals Act) 510 ILCS 70/3 Owner's duties

Summary: Requires owners to provide sufficient good quality wholesome food and water, adequate shelter, vet care to prevent suffering, and humane care/treatment.

Penalty: (510 ILCS 70/16) Class B Misdemeanor, maximum six months' confinement; $200 fine. 2nd or subsequent: Class 4 Felony. Department may enjoin continuous violations. Court may also order psych. evaluation and treatment at offender's expense. Court also may order forfeiture of all animals that are the basis of conviction, and court may order that offender and co-conspirators who live in same household as offender (or who knew/should have known of abuse) may not own or harbor any animals for a reasonable time. Mandatory psych. counseling for juveniles or companion animal hoarders.
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(Animals Humane Care for Animals Act) 510 ILCS 70/16.1 Defenses

Summary: It is not a defense to violations of the Humane Care for Animals Act for the offender to assert that he/she had rights of ownership in the animal that was the victim.
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These two were also there. "

" It seems somewhere in the process the law enforcement system, isn't upholding the laws that are on the books. If evidence was there to charge as felonies, it wasn't done for what ever reason. If evidence or investigation was lacking to be able to prosecute serious crimes as felonies, it shouldn't have been. All this can be placed squarely at the states attorneys feet.

The states attorneys office should be sponsoring law enforcement training, of crimes and evidence collection. The Rose case was nearly thrown out completely, because of lacking knowledge of investigating officers.

There are a lot of laws. Its evident, with the lax prosecutions of many serious offences, either the evidence isn't getting there to support a solid conviction represening the severity of the crime, or the desire isn't there, to stick with or present a relavent case.

Someone just plead to 8 years for murder. How is that a crime deturrent. That case had to be really thin, to let murder = 8 years.

The states attorney has an obligation to represent the citizens of the county. Communication with law enforcement, seminars, classes, basic evidence law, should have been part of this program, from day 1. If a case comes in weak, gather the chiefs and have a pow wow. Explain what was weaker than it should have been, what needed to be done, to build it strong and right.

The office seems to be a clearing house bystander to what ever case, happens to land in the office. Aren't they in coordination with the judges and law enforcement agencies supposed to be on the same team, persuing Justice and accountability. Not just any conviction or plea is a win, Next Case. "

" They should make this guy do 1000 hours of comminity service at a hog farm scooping up hog crap bare foot . "

" This weeks court notices where domesic violence, get less of a penalty, than lying to the police, or obstructing justice, are more prime examples of laws not being upheld by this office. If they won't do thier jobs to discourage crime, within the existing laws, who can? Traffic offenses get stiffer penalties than many of these cases of neglect or violence have been. That is completely up to the states attorney, and apparently his priorities differ than mine. Judges should have been reprimanding this office, for its shoddy work. Voters have the opportunity to have their say on the matters very soon. "

" The continual slaps on the wrist for violent offenses, of any kind, is why there are still so many of them and they graduate to more horrible crimes in some cases. Violence of all kinds, needs curbed, laws are in place to take more steps to do it.

This office choses to prosecute but accept a 200 fine and a little probation, is penalty enough for acts of violence, violating orders of protection, or abusing animals, over and over and over again.

New leadership is long overdue. This office has mismanaged itself, and misrepresented the people, for much too long. Its time for a change of the name on the letterhead, thats for sure. We could have Lutz take over, for all I care, this furgeson isn't cutting the mustard still, it been multiple terms, and its getting increasingly lax in punnishments or even prosecutions even fitting the crimes.

This is exactly how coles county became known for murder and getting away with it. We are well on our way to being known for being soft on violent crime again. Undeturred crime, tends to escalate, reading that for killing someone, 8 to 20 is the most you may get, isn't much of a threat to the criminal element we have in our revolving door system now. This counties whole justice system needs some new blood and a strong backbone of legal integrity. From probation officers, to law enforcement, new leadership, and tools need to be part of this offices deturring serious crime, being priority number one always. They gave out 8 years for murder. The judge and prosecutor of that case, need replaced. "