TITLE
Recommendation to request City Attorney to draft a resolution in support of animal protection legislation SB 250 (Florez), AB 241 (Nava), AB 242 (Nava) and/or AB 243 (Nava); and direct City Manager to communicate the City's support to Long Beach legislative offices.
DISCUSSION
The City of Long Beach Bureau of Animal Care Services (ACS) strives to protect the animals that share our city by ensuring the welfare of all pets, companion animals and wild animals. The ACS provides adoption services, return animals to their owners whenever possible and provide animal owners with good advice on how best to care for their animal throughout the year. There is currently a set of animal protection legislation being considered by the California State Legislature that if enacted would enhance the City's efforts to protect the welfare of our pets.
SB 250 (Florez) - Spay and Neutering: All dogs must be spayed or neutered at 6 months of age unless their owner obtains an unaltered dog license. All cats must be spayed or neutered at six months of age, if the owner allows the cat to roam outdoors. This is not a mandatory spay/neuter bill.
AB 241 (Nava) - Breeding for sale: The Responsible Breeder Act of 2009. This bill limits the number of unaltered dogs and cats on a "sellers" property to 50 total unaltered animals, e.g. kittens, puppies, breeding adults.
AB 242 (Nava)- Dog Fighting: Legislation would make it a felony to be a willing spectator at a dog fight. California is the only Western state that does not make it a felony.
AB 243 (Nava) - Animal Abuse: Legislation would allow a judge to bar a felon convicted of animal cruelty from owning animals for a certain period after their release. This addresses a loophole in state law that allows a judge to prevent someone from possessing or having contact with animals while on probation, but not while they are paroled. The bill is sponsored by the Los Angeles District Attorney's office.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
COUNCILMEMBER TONIA REYES URANGA,
SEVENTH DISTRICT
COUNCILMEMBER PATRICK O'DONNELL,
FOURTH DISTRICT