(April 19, 2008) -- In response to a request by LBReport.com under CA's Public Records Act, the City of Long Beach has released data on the number of animals taken in, adopted/redeemed...and euthanized at LB's Animal Control facility in 2005, 2006 and 2007.

In an accompanying transmittal memo to City Manager Pat West, LB Dept. of Health & Human Services Director Ron Arias notes in pertinent part:

While the city encourages adoption for suitable animals, those that are dangerous, irredemiably sick or wild are euthanized. Over the past three years, the number of dogs and cats euthanized has declined.

For the month of March 2008, 480 animals were euthanized:

• 88 percent of the animals euthanized were unsuitable for placement (dangerous) or irremediable (suffering from injury or incurable disease)
• 75 percent of the animals euthanized were feral cats or wildlife

We created the chart below using the data provided to us by the City. We'll be seeking clarification on some totals; we'd like to know what percentage of animals were adopted from SPCA/LA vs. those redeemed by their owners. (The City isn't hiding this data; we need to be more specific in asking for it).

We included some figures calculated on our own from the data provided to show the percentage animals killed vs. taken in. Although absolute numbers of dogs and cats rise and fall year to year, the percentage killed has for the past three years has remained relatively constant.

From this we conclude that the annual percentages of animals put to death at LB's Animal Shelter will likely remain about the same...unless taxpayers and voters insist on meaningful changes in City policies.

Implementing those policies is the task of city management and Animal Control staff. Deciding what those city policies are is ultimately the decision of a majority of the City Council.

LBReport.com will be publishing our editorial comments on this separately.

Totals below are for all cities serviced by City of Long Beach Animal Control (Long Beach, Signal Hill, Cerritos, Los Alamitos and Seal Beach). However, no animals from Seal Beach are impounded at LB's Animal Shelter.

[City text note: "The number of adopted/redeemed and euthanized animals may not add up to total animals based on all-year carryovers."]