BILL ANALYSIS Ó
AB 1279
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Date of Hearing: May 3, 2011
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON BUSINESS, PROFESSIONS AND CONSUMER
PROTECTION
Mary Hayashi, Chair
AB 1279 (Fletcher) - As Introduced: February 18, 2011
SUBJECT : Animal shelters.
SUMMARY : Updates obsolete terminology in provisions of law
governing the seizure, rescue, adoption, and euthanasia of
abandoned and surrendered animals by animal shelters and rescue
organizations. Specifically, this bill :
1)Replaces "unwanted" with "surrendered."
2)Replaces "pound" with "animal shelter."
3)Replaces "poundkeeper" with "shelter director."
4)Replaces "pound officer" with "animal control officer."
5)Replaces "kill," "destroy," and "dispose" with "humanely
euthanize."
6)Makes technical, non-substantive changes.
EXISTING LAW governs the seizure, rescue, adoption, and
euthanasia of abandoned and surrendered animals by animal
shelters and rescue organizations.
FISCAL EFFECT : Unknown. This bill is keyed non-fiscal.
COMMENTS :
Purpose of this bill . According to the author's office,
"California state law currently contains old-fashioned and
offensive terminology to describe the work done by the state's
animal shelter workers. The words 'pound' and 'destroy' reflect
the poor conditions and unpleasant tasks shelters were faced
with in the earlier part of the twentieth century, as well as
their emphasis on animal control. Modern animal shelters are
tasked with caring for homeless, injured, and sick animals, with
an emphasis on healing and finding homes for animals.
AB 1279
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"This bill is a common sense measure which will help California
law reflect the commitment and compassion with which our state's
animal shelter staff care for our homeless pets. It would
remove the word 'destroy' in reference to euthanizing a sick or
injured animal, as well as replacing the word 'pound' with
'animal shelter.'
"California's animal shelter personnel provide essential
life-saving services to the animals most in-need. Removing the
antiquated and unsettling terms from statute is the least we can
do to show our support to these courageous employees and
volunteers."
Support . The Lake Tahoe Human Society and S.P.C.A. writes in
support, "As you are aware, California law uses the term 'pound'
in twenty five different places hen referring to animal shelters
and their operations. This outdated term does not reflect the
balance that communities and organizations strive for between
animal control and animal care efforts. California animal
shelters provide essential life-saving services that the word
'pound' does not accurately encompass.
"Similarly, California laws referring to euthanasia in cases of
dire animal suffering as 'destroying' an animal also are
outmoded. By correcting this, AB 1279 reinforces the state's
commitment to the humane handling and treatment of animals in
distress. Use of the word destroy is customarily applied when
speaking of inanimate objects, not when dealing with the
precious life of an animal.
"While there is no fiscal impact associated with this
legislation, the suggested changes will have a lasting impact
for the future of animals and animal welfare."
REGISTERED SUPPORT / OPPOSITION :
Support
Inland Valley Humane Society
Lake Tahoe Human Society and S.P.C.A.
Paw PAC
San Diego Humane Society
Opposition
AB 1279
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None on file.
Analysis Prepared by : Rebecca May / B.,P. & C.P. / (916)
319-3301