Quinn signs 2 pet-related bills

Gov. Pat Quinn has signed into law two bills aimed at increasing protections for pets and pet owners throughout Illinois.

One of the laws signed Thursday requires the addition of a bitter flavor to antifreeze and engine coolant sold in Illinois. The other prohibits the private ownership of primates as pets.

The antifreeze measure is meant to prevent poisonings. Both antifreeze and coolant have a sweet taste and can pose a threat to animals and children. The Humane Society of the United States says 90,000 animals are poisoned every year by the ethylene glycol in such liquids.

The bill prohibiting the private ownership of primates as pets was spurred by a tragic incident last year where a pet chimpanzee in Connecticut attacked a family friend of its owner. Illinois is the 23rd state to enact such a ban.