U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance
801 Kingsmill Parkway, Columbus, OH 43229
Ph. 614/888-4868 • Fax 614/888-0326
Website: www.ussportsmen.org • E-mail: info@ussportsmen.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sharon Hayden (614) 888-4868 ext. 226
July 25, 2008
California Bill Criminalizing Dog Owners Nears Passage!
Sportsmen's action needed!
An amended version of California’s Mandatory Spay/Neuter legislation passed a senate committee late last month by a single vote and is awaiting a vote before the full Senate. Sporting dog owners must contact their senators today in opposition to this bill.
The measure, Assembly Bill 1634, mandates that an owner of unsprayed/unneutered dog who is cited pay a civil penalty when a local animal control agency receives a complaint about his or her dog. The definition of “complaint” included in the bill 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 of any state dog law has occurred in order to issue a citation. On the third citation issued, even without a single allegation being proven, this bill mandates the dog be spayed or neutered.
“It inappropriate 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. What happened to the concept of innocent until proven guilty,” said U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance vice president for government affairs Rob Sexton.
The bill, sponsored by Lloyd Levine, D-Van Nuys, has been amended nine times over the last year, none of which provided any protection for sportsmen and sporting dog owners.
Take Action! The Senate is expected to vote on this bill as soon as Monday, August 4, and possibly sooner if the Senate reconvenes earlier than scheduled. California sportsmen and sporting dog owners need to contact their senators today to voice their opposition to AB 1634.
To find your Senator use the Legislative Action Center at www.ussportsmen.org.
801 Kingsmill Parkway, Columbus, OH 43229
Ph. 614/888-4868 • Fax 614/888-0326
Website: www.ussportsmen.org • E-mail: info@ussportsmen.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Sharon Hayden (614) 888-4868 ext. 226
July 25, 2008
California Bill Criminalizing Dog Owners Nears Passage!
Sportsmen's action needed!
An amended version of California’s Mandatory Spay/Neuter legislation passed a senate committee late last month by a single vote and is awaiting a vote before the full Senate. Sporting dog owners must contact their senators today in opposition to this bill.
The measure, Assembly Bill 1634, mandates that an owner of unsprayed/unneutered dog who is cited pay a civil penalty when a local animal control agency receives a complaint about his or her dog. The definition of “complaint” included in the bill 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 of any state dog law has occurred in order to issue a citation. On the third citation issued, even without a single allegation being proven, this bill mandates the dog be spayed or neutered.
“It inappropriate 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. What happened to the concept of innocent until proven guilty,” said U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance vice president for government affairs Rob Sexton.
The bill, sponsored by Lloyd Levine, D-Van Nuys, has been amended nine times over the last year, none of which provided any protection for sportsmen and sporting dog owners.
Take Action! The Senate is expected to vote on this bill as soon as Monday, August 4, and possibly sooner if the Senate reconvenes earlier than scheduled. California sportsmen and sporting dog owners need to contact their senators today to voice their opposition to AB 1634.
To find your Senator use the Legislative Action Center at www.ussportsmen.org.