TITLE
Recommendation to respectfully request City Attorney to draft a resolution on behalf of the City of Long Beach to oppose any cuts, repeal and/or reduction of the Hayden Law.
DISCUSSION
In 1998, the State of California adopted SB 1785, authored by Senator Tom Hayden, as part of a comprehensive effort to overhaul then-existing guidelines for the humane retention, treatment, and euthanization of stray animals.
Recognizing significant gaps in protocol for handling these animals, the Hayden Law expanded local shelters' mandatory holding period from 72 hours to between four (4) and six (6) days. It also established clear guidelines and State funding for local shelters to administer necessary veterinary care and humane euthanasia for unclaimed animals.
Recently, Governor Brown has announced his intention to repeal the Hayden Law as a cost-saving measure in the most recent State budget. The effects of such a repeal are innumerable and could lead to the hasty euthanization of lost animals before their owners can be found. The efforts to ensure humane treatment of animals by the animal rescue community will be set back more than 90 years if the Hayden Law were to be repealed. The City of Long Beach should take a firm position to oppose any reductions in funding that would adversely affect animal rescue efforts in the State of California.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no expected fiscal impact associated with the recommendation of this item.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
COUNCILMEMBER PATRICK O'DONNELL
FOURTH DISTRICT
VICE MAYOR SUJA LOWENTHAL
COUNCILMEMBER, SECOND DISTRICT
COUNCILMEMBER STEVEN NEAL
NINTH DISTRICT