CA Senate Bill 250 Amended and Sent to Appropriations Committee
California Senate Bill 250 passed the Senate Local Government Committee on a vote of 3-1 and will be heard by the Senate Appropriations Committee on May 4th. The bill was amended to correct drafting errors and remove a section which would have required sterilization for a laundry list of animal control violations.
The bill continues to require sterilization if a dog is at-large, if the dog is not licensed, and if the dog violates local animal control ordinances, even on a first offense. This is an unreasonable standard as even a responsible owner can have a single incident where an animal is let out by a meter reader, neighbor or faulty gate. The American Kennel Club continues to oppose this bill as it unreasonably penalizes responsible dog owners and breeders. We encourage legislators to draft legislation that targets owners who are consistently irresponsible, rather than passing legislation that will harm responsible members of the community.
Existing state law already requires owners of intact animals to pay a license fee that is at least double that of licensing a sterilized animal (Food and Agriculture Code Section 30804.5) and provides for enhanced and graduated fines for owners whose intact dogs are impounded (Food and Agriculture Code Section 30804.7). These statutes are sufficient to incentivize owners to sterilize their animals and to address animal control concerns with specific intact animals who are repeatedly impounded.
SB 250 would add the term “custodian” to the California Food and Agriculture code. AKC believes that “custodian” is simply another word for “guardian.” The American Kennel Club supports the use of the term “owner” rather than “guardian” when referring to the keeping of dogs. The AKC believes that the term guardian may in fact reduce the legal status and value of dogs as property and thereby restrict the rights of owners, veterinarians, and government agencies to protect and care for dogs. It may also subject them to frivolous and expensive litigation. The term guardian does nothing to promote more responsible treatment of dogs. We strongly support efforts to educate the public about responsible dog ownership to ensure that all dogs receive the care, love and attention they deserve.
This legislation will not improve the lives of cats and dogs in California, will negatively impact responsible owners and breeders, and by placing additional burdens on owners of intact animals, may lead to an increase of animals in shelters. Concentrating animal control efforts on dogs whose behavior demonstrates that they are a problem for the community would be a much better use of taxpayer funds.
The Senate Appropriations Committee analysis will NOT list support and opposition, so concerned owners and breeders are encouraged to communicate with their own Senator and the members of the Senate Appropriations Committee.
What You Can Do * Attend the Senate Appropriations Committee hearing. May 4th at 10am State Capitol, Room 4203
* Write your Senator (Click here to find out who represents you in the State Senate. Webmaster, please link to http://www.legislature.ca.gov/port-zipsearch.html) and the members of the Senate Appropriations Committee regarding your concerns. For a sample letter, please click here (webmaster please link to the attached word document).
* Ask your club to write a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee members. For a sample letter to personalize, please click here. (Webmaster please link to the attached word document).
Senate Appropriations Committee State Capitol, Room 2206 Sacramento, CA 95814
Senator Christine Kehoe (Chair) State Capitol, Room 5050 Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: (916) 651-4039 Fax: (916) 327-2188
Senator Dave Cox (Vice Chair) State Capitol, Room 2068 Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: (916) 651-4001 Fax: (916) 324-2680
Senator Ellen Corbett State Capitol, Room 5108 Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone:(916) 651-4010 Fax: (916) 327-2433
Senator Jeff Denham State Capitol, Room 3076 Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: (916) 651-4012 Fax: (916) 445-0773
Senator Mark DeSaulnier State Capitol, Room 2054 Sacramento, CA  95814 Phone: (916) 651-4007 Fax:  (916) 445-2527
Senator Loni Hancock State Capitol, Room 3092 Sacramento, CA  95814 Phone: (916) 651-4009 Fax: (916) 327-1997
Senator Mark Leno State Capitol, Room 4061 Sacramento,  CA  95814 Phone:  (916) 651-4003 Fax:  (916) 445-4722
Senator Jenny Oropeza State Capitol, Room 5114 Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: (916) 651-4028 Fax: (916) 323-6056
Senator George Runner State Capitol, Room 4090 Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: (916) 651-4017 Fax: (916) 445-4662
Senator Mimi Walters State Capitol, Room 3082 Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: (916) 651-4033 Fax: (916) 445-9754
Senator Lois Wolk State Capitol, Room 4032 Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: (916) 651-4005 Fax: (916) 323-2304
Senator Mark Wyland State Capitol, Room 4048 Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: (916) 651-4038 Fax: (916) 446-7382
Senator Leland Yee State Capitol, Room 4074 Sacramento, CA 95814 Phone: (916) 651-4008 Fax: (916) 327-2186
Government Relations Department American Kennel Club 8051 Arco Corporate Drive Raleigh, NC 27617 (919) 816-3720 (919) 816-4275 FAX