(USA) FW: Healthy Pets Act Resolution

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Posted by: " PAL "

Wed Apr 18, 2007 1:37 pm ((PDT))

 

Los Angeles City Council Votes Unanimously to Approve California

Healthy Pets Act Resolution

 

Universal spaying and neutering of dogs and cats would save taxpayers

millions

 

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles City Council today voted unanimously to

support the California Healthy Pets Act, a proposed state law that would

enact a requirement for most dogs and cats to be spayed or neutered.

 

" Having thousands of animals stranded on our streets is animal cruelty and

poses a risk to our public safety, " said Councilmember Tony Cardenas, who

co-authored the resolution with Councilmember Herb Wesson. " An animal that

is neglected is more likely to attack a human being than one that is

domesticated and has a home, plain and simple. This legislation is about

the health of our animals and the safety of our communities. " When signed

by the Mayor, the Cardenas resolution will officially put the city on record

in support of the state legislation.

 

Addressing the City Council, Los Angeles Animal Services Director Ed Boks

said, " I am here today representing the 400 employees of Animal Services and

the hundreds of volunteers and partners we have throughout Los Angeles who

carry the burden and brunt of pet overpopulation everyday - as we take in,

care for and ultimately kill 50% of the animals in our charge. This act is

both a fiscally responsible and humane solution to our City's vexing pet

overpopulation woes, and I ask for your support today. "

 

The California Healthy Pets Act (AB 1634) is largely modeled upon a

successful spay and neuter ordinance that the County of Santa Cruz

implemented in 1995. By 2005, although the county's human population had

grown by 15%, the animal shelter intake numbers had plummeted by 64%. This

clear success has inspired other jurisdictions, including the cities of

Sacramento and San Bernardino and Lake and Stanislaus counties, to adopt

similar measures.

 

Dog or cat owners found to be in violation of AB 1634 would be given a

ticket. It would operate as a " fix-it " ticket - no fine would be assessed

if the pet owner spayed or neutered their pet within a certain period of

time.

 

" Gaining the support of the state's largest city is an important milestone

for the California Healthy Pets Act. Local governments across California are

recognizing the serious consequences of the enormous number of unwanted pets

that arrive at their shelters every year. The California Healthy Pets Act

will help save taxpayer dollars and help reduce the number of pets that are

unwanted and abandoned in our communities, " said Judie Mancuso, Campaign for the California Healthy Pets Coalition.

 

The resolution received a unanimous vote from the Intergovernmental

Relations Committee on Friday whose members include Committee Chair Greig

Smith, the resolution's co-author Councilmember Herb Wesson, and

Councilmember Dennis Zine.

 

Councilmember Zine, who serves as a reserve police officer, stated during

the committee hearing, " I can't tell you how many dogs are running the

streets and eating out of trash cans that are just abandoned. It's an

epidemic that Animal Services has to address. " Referring to the Healthy Pets

Act, he said, " I totally support this. "

 

Last week, the California Healthy Pets Act was heard by the Assembly

Business and Professions Committee. More than 100 supporters turned out to

participate in a rally in front of the State Capitol and testify in support

of the legislation. The Committee is likely to vote on the California

Healthy Pets Act at its meeting on April 24.

 

For more information, please visit http://www.cahealthypets.com

 

 

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