A beloved dog’s story helped rewrite the rules for pet custody in Illinois

Illinois has established a new pet custody law that will take effect in 2027. This legislative change was inspired by the story of a beloved dog. Under the new rules, courts are authorized to evaluate several key factors during ownership disputes, including the overall welfare of the animal, the history of caregiving provided by the parties involved, and the strength of the emotional bonds between the pet and its owners to determine custody.