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Chapter 720 ILCS 5/48 – Animals

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Posted by Christopher Combs on April 23, 2026

Illinois Chapter 720 ILCS 5/48 – Animals

Chapter 720 ILCS 5/48 of the Illinois Revised Statutes: Criminal Offenses discusses crimes in Illinois that relate to animals. These crimes can involve directly hurting animals or mistreating them in other ways. It also includes laws related to hunting. These crimes can range from felonies to misdemeanors.

What Chapter 5/48 Covers

  • Dog fighting
  • Giving garbage to animals
  • Preventing people from hunting or fishing
  • Keeping certain dangerous animals as pets

To learn more about the individual statutes in Chapter 5/48, use the links below.

Chapter 5/48 Statutes Explained

Facing Animal Related Charges in Illinois?

Don’t wait while the state builds a case against you — get help now. Combs Waterkotte’s defense attorneys are ready to protect your rights. Contact us online or call (314) 900-HELP for a free, confidential review of your case.

720 ILCS 5/48-2 Definitions

This section explains the meaning of words and phrases as they apply to this chapter about animal-related crimes.

“Animal” means any living creature that isn’t a human.

“Animal facility” means a place that professionally involves animals, like a farm or a scientific research location. It also includes the people who work there.

“Director” means the head of the Illinois Department of Agriculture, or someone who works for them.

View the full statute here.

Contact us online or call (314) 900-HELP to talk with a Southern Illinois criminal defense lawyer.

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