News

http://www.californiapredatorsclub.com/index.php?showtopic=8528

California Bill Criminalizes Dog Owners Based Upon Allegations

Sportsmen’s Action Needed Today!

A senate committee is expected to vote this week on an amended version of California’s Mandatory Spay/Neuter legislation. Sporting dog owners must contact members of the committee today to protect their rights.

The measure, Assembly Bill 1634, mandates that an owner of an intact dog be cited and pay a civil penalty when a local animal control agency receives a complaint about his or her dog. The “complaint” definition lacks the requirement that the animal control agency actually prove a violation has occurred; instead the agency simply has to receive an allegation that a violation has occurred.

“Assembly Bill 1634 completely eviscerates the founding principals of our legal system. What happened to innocent until proven guilty?” said U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance vice president for government affairs Rob Sexton. “It unacceptable to mandate civil penalties, fines, fees and the spaying/neutering of a person’s dog, at his or her own expense, based solely upon an allegation.”

The bill, sponsored by Lloyd Levine, D-Van Nuys, further mandates that on the third “complaint” received the dog be spayed or neutered at the owner’s expense. Unlike previous versions of the bill, there are no exemptions provided for any types of working dogs. “This bill allows for the criminalization California dog owners without having to prove that they’ve actually violated any law whatsoever,” said Sexton.

Take Action! The Senate Local Government Committee hearing is June 25 in Room 112 in the State Capitol Building in Sacramento. California sportsmen and sporting dog owners are encouraged to attend. Those who cannot attend should contact the committee members today to voice their opposition to AB 1634.

Sen. Local Government Committee Member
Party-Hometown
Phone
Sen. Gloria Negrete McLeod, Chair
D-Montclair
(916) 651-4032
Sen. Dave Cox, Vice-Chair
R-Roseville
(916) 651-4001
Sen. Tom Harman
R-Costa Mesa
(916) 651-4035
Sen. Christine Kehoe
D-San Diego
(916) 651-4039
Sen. Mike Machado
D-Sacramento