720 ILCS 5/48-7 – Feeding Garbage to Animals
This law says it’s illegal to feed garbage to farm animals like pigs unless you meet certain special exceptions.
This law explains what counts as “garbage,” who it applies to, and when feeding garbage to animals is allowed or not allowed. It also lists punishments for breaking the law and gives the Department of Agriculture power to enforce it.
(a) Definitions. The “Department” means the Illinois Department of Agriculture. “Garbage” includes things like rotting food or vegetable waste, but not the insides of a cow’s stomach. “Person” means anyone or any group such as a company, school, or government agency.
(b) A person breaks this law when they feed or allow others to feed garbage to pigs or any other animals or birds kept on land where pigs live.
(c) Farms or businesses that are licensed to handle dead animals under special state laws (or similar laws in other states) don’t have to follow this rule.
(d) This rule doesn’t apply to someone who feeds garbage from their own home to animals on their property. However, if they feed pigs, the food can’t have any meat pieces in it.
(e) Sentence: Feeding garbage to animals is a Class B misdemeanor. For the first time breaking the law, the fine is between $100 and $500. For later times breaking it, the fine is $200–$500, jail for up to 6 months, or both.
(f) The Department of Agriculture can order someone to stop if they keep breaking this rule.
(g) The Department of Agriculture can inspect farms and places where animals are kept to make sure this rule is followed, and they are in charge of enforcing it.
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