Boarding barn operators in Illinois have a new tool for recouping costs of caring for horses abandoned by their owners under a new bill signed by that state’s Governor Pat Quinn on Aug. 28.

The legislation, HB 3012, amends the Illinois Innkeepers Lien Act to allow boarding barn operators to place a lien on animals and personal property belonging to owners who have not paid fees for boarding or other services. Under the measure, the value of the lien is connected to the value of unpaid boarding and other expenses for the animal. After providing written notice to owners, barn operators may sell the animal and other qualifying personal property at a private or public sale.

Frank Bowman, executive director of the Horsemen’s Council of Illinois, said the new law was necessary to support barn operators whose clients have become unable or unwilling to pay fees for their animals’ care.

"The reluctance of the economy has caused some owners to quit coming to the barns or to quit paying their bills," Bowman said. "We call it ‘abandoning in place,’ but barn operators must still provide care for the horses