Governor Brown's Proposal To Kill Law Giving Shelter Animals More Days To Live Is So Not California!

by C. Miriam Yarden, B.Sc., MS, APDT

Governor Brown has now proposed that the state legislature repeal the Hayden Law. Under Governor Schwarzenegger, state lawmakers (starting in FY 2009-2010) began "balancing" their budget in part by no longer reimbursing cities and counties for the Hayden law's expanded hold times. (This writer opposed that action on LBReport.com in June 2009).

Sacramento's action left cities and counties free to reduce the animals' hold time back to the previous minimum three days. Fortunately, and much to their credit, both Long Beach's Animal Care Services (Animal Control) and L.A. County Animal Control tell LBReport.com that they are continuing to comply with the Hayden law's expanded hold times, reasoning (correctly in my view) that the ultimate benefits exceed the costs.

[LB Animal Care Services' new manager, George Stevens. tells LBReport.com publisher Bill Pearl that even after Sacramento suspended reimbursements for the Hayden law, Long Beach's hold times for animals have remained six days...and 14 days if the dog or cat is licensed (an incentive for owners, extra protection for pets to be licensed. Mr. Stevens says LB's (now former) reimbursements from Sac'to amounted to about $100,000 per year; L.A. County CEO William Fujioka says in a memo to the Supervisors that the County's last full year reimbursement from Sac'to was about $600,000.]

The Brown administration's rationale for seeking to repeal the Hayden law is the same we heard from the now-former Schwarzenegger administration: "economics." I'm sorry, but do we as Californians really want to "benefit" our state from the death of companion animals? Are not enough killed as it is? Do we want to increase their numbers? Aren’t we the state that helped enact laws to protect the tormented residents of poultry factories? Are we not the ones who helped bring to light the "downed animals" shame?

NO, Californians will not accept such a cruel, inhumane and sadistic proposal. Those of us who lose pets demand enough time, as provided in the Hayden Law, to find and re-connect with our family members. Those of us who are searching for a lifetime animal companion demand enough time, as provided in the Hayden Law, to seek and find one, without the Sword of Damocles hanging perilously over their heads by being told that the one we consider a family member is on his way to the death room in the morning.

Word about the Governor's proposal is spreading. On Facebook, a group calling itself "Sutter's Friends" -- naming itself for Gov. Brown's dog "Sutter" -- has surfaced "to organize opposition to the proposed repeal of certain provisions of California's Hayden Law." Its Facebook page is accessible by clicking here.

Meanwhile, Dog Park Media has uploaded a video on YouTube.com in which former state Senator Hayden urges Sacramento not to repeal the law he authored. The video ends with the graphic: "Tell Governor Brown innocent animals should not have to die to clean up California's mess." To view the video, click here.

On February 7, the L.A. County Board of Supervisors voted (5-0) to send a letter to the Governor opposing repeal of the Hayden law.

The Long Beach City Council can likewise urge Sacramento lawmakers not to repeal the Hayden law, citing Long Beach's example (and it can also urge state lawmakers to resume reimbursing cities, including Long Beach, for the costs).

For my part, I urge Californians to rise to this new challenge on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves. Call the Governor’s office at (916) 445-2841 and lodge your protest. After all, we ARE Californians, proud, compassionate animal advocates.

My message is simple: Repealing the Hayden law is so NOT California!