Lawmaker’s ‘pet lemon law’ approved by Illinois Senate

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Senate approved a plan from a suburban Democrat that would allow pet owners to get a refund for an animal that turned out to have been sick at the time they bought it.

State Sen. Dan Kotowski’s legislation — commonly referred to as the “pet lemon law” — was approved by a 31-18 vote.

Under the plan, a pet owner could either get a refund or have veterinary bills covered by the store up to the price of the animal if it was sick when it was purchased.

The law wouldn’t apply to adoptions from animal shelters.

“It will discourage breeders and stores from selling unhealthy cats and dogs and reduce the spread of diseases,” Kotowski said in a statement.

The legislation now moves to the Illinois House.