SPRINGFIELD - Pets love antifreeze.

The sweet smell and taste of the multicolored vehicle fluid might not seem dangerous at first. That's why unsuspecting pets, or even children, are sometimes known to lap up a leftover garage puddle of antifreeze.

But it doesn't love them back.

"A tablespoon of antifreeze can kill a 15-pound cat," said Sara Amundson, a spokeswoman for the Humane Society.

So, some want to make that poisonous puddle less appetizing by making antifreeze taste bitter. That way, animals won't be tempted to drink as much.

State Rep. Dave Winters has pitched a plan to do just that, requiring antifreeze producers to add a bitter chemical to the concoction before selling it in stores. Only three other states have similar requirements, and while Congress has considered the idea, nothing has been approved.

While Amundson says the chemical can kill thousands of pets a year, some doubt the danger is prevalent because many parents and pet owners know the risks and are therefore careful.

"I think people are wise to it now," says Jim Stroud, manager of Bumper to Bumper, an auto parts store in Decatur.

A spokesman for Honeywell, which owns the Prestone brand, says the company supports the idea of embittering antifreeze if Congress makes a nationwide law.

But if Illinois goes it alone, spokesman Michael Timmermann said the company would have to alter their distribution methods to make sure only Illinois stores get the acrid fluid.

"It makes it very difficult to comply," he said.

Winters, a Shirland Republican, argued that companies have managed in the other states that shun tasty antifreeze, so going it alone shouldn't be a problem.

"If more and more states do this, I think they'll just do this voluntarily," he said.

Timmermann disagreed, because every state could require different chemicals to alter taste.

But Winters likely won't let the issue make him get overheated. He said that if General Assembly leaders limit how much legislation lawmakers can push, Illinois antifreeze might stay sweet.

"I'm not sure this will be one of my high priority bills," he said.

Mike Riopell can be reached at mike.riopell@lee.net or 789-0865.