City Council to Address Hayden Law Cuts

Details: By Brian Addison; | Monday, 13 February 2012 04:05

10:45am | Late last month, Governor Jerry Brown stirred up massive controversy over a proposal to roll-back major portions of SB1785, or what is commonly known as the Hayden Law. Passed in 1998 and named after its main drafter, former state senator and professor of animal law at UCLA Tom Hayden, the bill significantly altered the way in which animal shelters operated and euthanized animals. Pointedly under attack by both animal lovers and many cities within the provisional roll-back are its altering of euthanasia policies -- specifically the fact that any animal can be euthanized within 72 hours whether the shelter was open to the public or not, an action was that was exempt under the Hayden Law in order to provide animal owners proper time to find their lost pets.

Following the similar action taken on by the Los Angeles County Supervisors and coinciding with the Los Angeles City Council, a supplemental agenda item for this Tuesday's council meeting has been added by Councilmember O'Donnell with Councilmember Neal and Vice Mayor Lowenthal signed on. They are recommending a request to Long Beach City Attorney, Robert Shannon, to draft a resolution on behalf of the City of Long Beach to oppose any cuts, repeal and/or reduction of the Hayden Law brought forward by the Governor.

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Archived Comments (7)

WrigleyWriter

Can someone interpret this poorly written - but seemingly key- sentence for me:

"Pointedly under attack by both animal lovers and many cities within the provisional roll-back are its altering of euthanasia policies -- specifically the fact that any animal can be euthanized within 72 hours whether the shelter was open to the public or not, an action was that was exempt under the Hayden Law in order to provide animal owners proper time to find their lost pets."

What part of this is the "fact" alluded to? What does the existing statute allow? More time? Do I need to read the statute to understand this article? What is the status/timeframe of the proposed legislation?

cat/dog owner

the hours during which the owner of a lost pet at Long Beach shelter are limited enough - now if you lose your pet it's a death sentence as the hours are so restricted as it is. Resolution should be accompanied by a directive to animal control to make it easier for someone who is desparate to find their pet to get into the shelter to see if it's there.

Judy Crumpton

Thank you to Councilmembers O'Donnell, Neal, and Vice Mayor Lowenthal for understanding the significance of opposing the unthinkable and thoughtless proposal of Governor Brown to repeal the animal welfare portion of the Hayden bill. Repealing is permanent and will set animal welfare back 91 years! Medical needs for animals impounded into municipal shelters will not be required. Three days is not enough time for many animals to get adopted and will greatly burden good rescuers and the shelter staff! Euthanizing animals and rendering their bodies is costly. We need to think of all of the animals in all of the California shelters! OPPOSE the repeal! Contact all Long Beach City Councilmembers and let them know Long Beach residents want no part of turning animal shelters into slaughter houses! And let the Governor know that too!

FebGirl

Our poor choice of our re-election of Governor Brown is another example of his poor judgement. We all need to take a few minutes to send our Councilmembers and our Governor Brown that we, their constituents, want them to oppose the repeal of the animal welfare/shelters portion of the Hayden Bill. Without this opposition we turn our shelters into "slaughterhouses."

Dog Park Media

Correction: the bill was drafted by two people:

1. Then-State Senator Tom Hayden, and
2. UCLA Animal Law Professor Taimie Bryant

Tom Hayden is not and was not a law professor at UCLA.

Long Time Pet Owner

While I appreciate the governor looking for ways to make cuts in the overrun government - it "appears" from this article that no accomodations were made for a variety of scenarios were people could not only lose their pets, but also find that they are killed within 72 hours.

My personal experience is that it is best to chip your pet and/or have a valid and up to date contact information on a license.

While I have rescued several dogs over my lifetime, I have found that the restrictions placed on potential adoptee's is bordering on ridiculous and lessening the pool of "qualified" pet owners who would take these animals in. Having a strict adoption policy along with a narrow time frame for adoption translates into certain and needless death for a great number of potential animal companions.

Stephen L.

Please join us in stopping this misguided idea:

http://signon.org/sign/stop-governor-brown-from?source=c.url&r_by=2297406

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