Will County State's Attorney Glasgow earns national award for combating animal cruelty

Will County State's Attorney James Glasgow was named one of "America's Top Ten Animal Defenders" by the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF).

The ALDF is a national nonprofit organization working to protect the lives and advance the interest of animals throughout the legal system, according to a news release. More than 250,000 members nationwide support the organization.

Each year, the ALDF recognizes officials who have done outstanding work to make their communities safer for animals during its National Justice for Animals Week.

Glasgow was recognized during Thursday's Will County Board meeting.

"All too often, our animal cruelty laws fail to recognize that animals, like humans, are sentient beings capable of experiencing pain, stress, and fear," Glasgow said in the release. "Our animal cruelty laws need to be retooled with this in mind."

Glasgow added he wants to continue his work to change the law to allow for interventions in cases of animal abuse and cruelty.

He also pointed to "the link between abuse to animals and violence against humans" as being "undisputed." He argued addressing cases of animal abuse could lead to uncovering situations involving abuse or neglect of people.

Glasgow also cited his work creating the League of Extraordinary Canines & Friends, establishing an animal protection unit in his office to work with the local law enforcement community on prosecuting cases, and writing the state's 1999 law creating the state's first criminal felony charge for animal cruelty.