The 2009 California legislative session officially ended at midnight on Friday, September 11.
The state’s $24 billion budget deficit made this one of the most urgent sessions in memory, yet many observers characterize the year as unproductive, stymied by hard-line partisan politics and infighting. Although many bills were introduced that aimed to tackle important fiscal topics – including water reform, prison reform, and energy reform – the session ended in stalemate on most of them.
There is some good news to report for animal lovers, however. The 2009 session brought some important animal protection issues to light, and several new measures were written to address them.
Below is an overview of the humane legislation that was passed by both houses of the legislature. Not all of these bills were signed into law by Govenor Schwarzennegger. Call his office at 916-445-2841 to let him know you’re paying attention.
You can read the text of any of these bills at http://info.sen.ca.gov.
AB 241 (Assemblyman Pedro Nava; D-Santa Barbara)
Called “The Responsible Breeder Act of 2009,” this bill imposes a limit of 50 on the number of unaltered dogs and cats an individual or business can keep for the purpose of breeding animals for sale. Puppies and kittens too young for sterilization are not included in the total. Shelters, rescue groups, and veterinary facilities are exempt, since they do not sell animals. Owners of more than 50 unsterilized animals would be given a specified time to either find new homes for the excess, or have them spayed or neutered.
Status: vetoed by Govenor
AB 242 (Assemblyman Pedro Nava; D-Santa Barbara)
Dogfights are not widely publicized so spectators must actively seek them out, and revenue raised via their admission fees helps keep this cruel industry alive. Called “The Dogfighting Prevention Act of 2009,” this bill substantially increases the criminal penalties for being a spectator at dog fights, raising the maximum sentence from 6 months in jail and a fine of $1,000 to one year in jail and a $5,000 fine.
Status: signed into law
AB 243 (Assemblyman Pedro Nava; D-Santa Barbara)
Current law gives judges the option of enjoining convicted animal abusers from owner animals in the future. This bill makes the prohibition mandatory. People convicted of specified animal crimes are enjoined from “owning, possessing, maintaining, having custody of, residing with, or caring for any animal” for a certain period of time.
Status: vetoed by Govenor
AB 1122 (Assemblyman Ted Lieu; D-Torrance)
Backyard breeders sometimes sell dogs and cats in parking lots or other casual settings after raising them in overcrowded, unsanitary, and cruel conditions. Such animals often have not had even basic veterinary care and can sicken within days of purchase. This bill outlaws the sale of animals “on any street, highway, public right-of-way, parking lot, carnival, or boardwalk,” except at adoption events run by humane societies and legitimate animal rescue groups.
Status: vetoed by Govenor
SB 135 (Senator Dean Florez; D-Shafter)
This bill outlaws the inhumane practice of “docking,” or amputation, of cows’ tails except in medical emergencies or to relieve suffering. Proponents of the ban say this common agricultural procedure does not increase animal hygiene, the ostensible reason it is prevalent in the cattle industry.
Status: signed into law
SB 318 (Senator Ron Calderon; D-Montebello)
This bill mandates forfeiture procedures for certain property purchased by convicted dogfighters using proceeds from their illegal activities. Net revenues raised from forfeited property will go to nonprofit organizations engaged in animal rescue or anti-dogfighting activities.
Status: signed into law
Carried Over
Two other animal-related bills introduced by Senator Florez failed to pass, but will be reconsidered during the next legislative session. They are:
SB 250
Called “The Pet Responsibility Act,” this mandatory spay-and-neuter bill inspired passionate debate on both sides. See page 14 to learn more.
SB 416
This bill would phase out the use of antibiotics in animals raised for food in California, except when needed for the treatment of disease.
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