CHICAGO (WBBM) -- A newly-signed state law will require child welfare workers in Illinois to report animal abuse that they find while doing their job -- and imposes a similar requirement on animal control officers, requiring them to report any evidence of child abuse.
Gov. Pat Quinn signed the measure into law surrounded not just by sponsors of the legislation, but by several well-behaved dogs.
Backers say animal control officers all too often find evidence of child abuse under the same roof, and that child welfare officials often find evidence of abused or neglected animals, or dogfighting.
Sponsors say it could save the lives of both children and their pets.
Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, whose deputies have stepped up the search for dogfights countywide, said he is often dependent on neighbors in both animal and child abuse cases. He says the cross-reporting bill can only help end all kinds of abuse.
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