Quinn Rips Bill Brady For Pet-Kill Legislation

Governor Pat Quinn added an unusual caveat to his search for a new lieutenant governor.

"I think it's important for our lieutenant governor to be someone who loves dogs," Quinn said.

The comment is less strange given a little context. On Saturday, Quinn stopped by McCormick Place for the 109th annual International Dog Show, where he made the remark amid a sea of 60,000 dog lovers and their companions.

And Quinn is trying to gain a little extra mileage out of a debacle that has blown up in the face of his likely opponent, Republican gubernatorial hopeful Bill Brady.

In 2009, the Illinois legislature passed a bill banning the use of carbon monoxide gas chambers for the mass euthanization of dogs. At the time, Sen. Brady voted against the bill. And recently, just days after the Feb. 2 primary that Brady likely won, he introduced a new bill to re-legalize the practice.

Brady took considerable flak over the proposed legislation from the Humane Society and the story garnered a good deal of media coverage. He has since shuffled sponsorship of the bill to his Senate colleague John Jones. Of the bill, Brady told the Quad-City Times, "It's not ready. And the political games were distracting from the discussion."

It's unclear why Brady chose this moment to push such an obviously unpopular piece of legislation. As the Capitol Fax blog notes, roughly twice as many Illinoisans own dogs as voted in the last gubernatorial election.

This fact certainly isn't lost on Pat Quinn, a dog owner himself. Being a friend to dogs, he said, is "a pretty good way to win an election."

Comments

[Agent Scully]

04:31 PM on 03/01/2010

It is my personal belief that pet owners are more empathetic people. Anyone who thinks that mass killings of any animal species is not only wrong but completely sick. What a perverted bill to write.

[bcmom]

12:50 PM on 03/01/2010

I think the point is killing thousands and thousands of animals by gassing is torture. Unless anyone has seen animals being gassed they have no idea how cruel this is.. They scratch at the walls and door trying to get out while making themselves bloody. They know what is going. They smell the death and fear. It is beyond heartbreaking it is grotesque. Go to www.helpsaveone.org for a video of gassing.

[thinkingwomanmillstone]

08:41 AM on 03/01/2010

Wow, I thought the criteria for being elected was shallow in NJ...but liking dogs will surely allow him to be a competent chief state executive.

[equinox923]

11:02 PM on 02/28/2010

It's basically up to the State of Illinois.

I know for a fact that Jeff Stelle and Bill Brady are acquainted.

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/08/donors-relatives-get-free-ride-at-illinois-colleges.html

and the veterinary, hello?

[ejhickey]

10:52 PM on 02/28/2010

illinois is $13 billion in Debt and Quinn can't get anyone to be his running mate and he is focusing on this issue?

[equinox923]

10:49 PM on 02/28/2010

Perhaps I should be more specific, Becky Philpott Erhlich and Bill Brady Senior's mistress, Bill Brady Jr.? Senator, only gaining office because of Maitland's illness.

[equinox923]

10:44 PM on 02/28/2010

Let's also hear about Becky Philpott Ehrlich and his Father's relations with her.

[NightEditor]

04:49 PM on 02/28/2010

"Must Love Dogs"
Only pet lovers need apply for Lt Gov in Illinois

[DawnK]

02:38 PM on 02/28/2010

So now we know 2 things for sure about Bill Brady, he hates gays and he hates dogs.

[VOTER]

08:35 AM on 02/28/2010

"Woof"

Another Vote for Quinn.

[Rayme]

03:53 AM on 02/28/2010

I won't be voting for Quinn, but I'd like to see legislation like the Happy Act that they have in Minnesota.

[VOTER]

08:31 AM on 02/28/2010

The Happy Act is HR 3501, the Humanity & Pets Partnered Through the Years Act,
allowing $3,500 yearly deductible for pet care.
To the best of my knowledge, this House Bill has not yet been put up for a Vote.

What is the Happy Act in Minnesota?