POMONA CITY COUNCIL MEETING

The Pomona City Council Meeting was held last night and several people attended who have an interest in whether or not Pomona implements MSN.
Speaking against taking such action were Mary Bradley, Geneva Coates, Melissa Paul and Cathie Turner. Also in the audience (among others that left before I could get all the names) were Terry Toussaint and Ellen Yamada. It is a shame that not everyone spoke, since that opportunity existed. Once key points have been made, you just need to be a "me too" so they can gauge opposition.

Unfortunately in the time available it was not possible to get to the heart of the issue. Pomona is considering this action because there is a $300,000 deficit between what they will owe Inland Valley Humane Society and what they now raise in fees. This was the reason they raised their licensing fees from $10 to $35 for altered animals and raised the rate for unaltered animals fro $45 to $70. If history repeats itself the City will find that new licensing compliance will fall, negating the effect of these increases.

It is important that residents of Pomona make appointments with their Mayor and Council members to discuss these issues prior to the proposal being made by IVHS.

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MORE ON THE PROPOSED CHANGES BY THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES

FROM THE PLANNING OFFICE

The County of Los Angeles is proposing to amend its Zoning Code with regards to its regulations for the keeping of dogs and cats 
 and the permitting requirements for the breeding of dogs and cats. The proposed Zoning Code amendment includes the following:

 Establishes a definition of a boarding facility for dogs and cats and a breeding facility for dogs and cats. The term dog kennels is replaced with the term boarding facility for dogs and cats in the A-2 and M-1 Zones as a permitted use and as a use requiring a conditional use permit in the CM Zone.
 Dog breeding as a permitted use in the M-1 Zone is deleted.  Breeding facility for dogs and cats is added as a use requiring a conditional use permit in the M-1, M-1 and ½, M-2 and M-4 Zones.  The existing limitations on the keeping of dogs in the Agricultural and Residential Zones are deleted and replaced by limitations for dogs and cats that apply to all zones.  Existing approved boarding facilities (kennels) with a breeding facility as an accessory use must stop all breeding activities within five years of the effective date of the ordinance.The Regional Planning Commission will hold a public hearing on October 28, 2009. Please see the attached draft ordinance, public hearing notice, a summary report, and a draft Negative Declaration.

If you have any questions about this matter please contact me.

 James Bell
 Principal Regional Planning Assistant
 Ordinance Studies
 213-974-8480

COMMENTARY FROM STORY HOPE

This impacts all dog breeding facilities in unincorporated Los Angeles County. It's being done through Zoning rather than Animal Control. This impacts ALL dog kennels that have breeding dogs (Training Kennels and Boarding Kennels that have breeding dogs will be required to cease breeding within 5 years). Please read the documents very carefully as it basically zones all breeding kennels into Manufacturing zoning and requires a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) Read the requirements of the CUP in the final attachment. Please send to all kennels of which you have any knowledge in unincorporated Los Angeles County. And I, personally, would like to know of the hundreds of "puppymill" busts that have been done in Los Angeles County. There is a hearing noted toward the end of October (October 28th), and for all those that said it won't affect me, it will. AKC is aware of this. 

A County Supervisor's office was contacted and the word is that meetings are ongoing about these proposed ordinance changes right now, so letters and phone calls are appropriate. Let's have a good attendance at the October 28 public meeting, too. I do not breed, but I'll be there. Will you?

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MONTGOMERY COUNTY

Both Bill McFadden and Cathie Turner spoke last evening, October 1st, at the Westie Club meeting in Plymouth Meeting, Pennsylvania.  We were delighted to be on the program with Phil Guidry from the AKC.  When you consider that the first Federation in the United States was started in Pennsylvania*, the honor was even more signal. 

We are very proud of the work that CDOC has done over the last three years.  And it has been done by all of you —  who live here in California and by all those in other states who have supported our work financially.  We really have become a cutting edge group.  We don't try to cover every state*, we don't try to manage other animals; we are about dogs in California.  

Meetings with legislators in the days after the vote on SB250 have shown we are making progress.  Even those who did not vote our way have expressed their appreciation of the professionalism.

An important note — if you have not yet expressed your opinion on AB241, it is not too late.  Here is the information.   BY THE WAY, JUDIE MANCUSO IS PUSHING HER SUPPORTERS TO CALL THIS SYSTEM.

Automated system
1. Call 916.445.2841
2. Press 1 for english
3. Press 2 for legislation and you will get options 

Press 6 for AB241

pressing 1 will express approval and 2 opposition 

Please ask the Governor to veto this AB241.  

*Although California is our area of expertise, we have volunteered 1/2 of the income from the sale of Handling Secrets at the Montgomery shows to go to the Pennsylvania Federation for their legal fund.

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WAKE UP LOS ANGELES RESIDENTS - TUESDAY SEPT 22ND IS A BIG DAY

The County is proposing the addition of the Hobby Breeder Permit which will cost $250.00 initially and $175.00 for renewal.  The current law requires a breeding permit costing $125.00.  The fee of $250 means that a person having one litter of puppies a year (all that is allowed in the unincorporated portions of Los Angeles County now) is required to pay the same fee as a pet store selling hundreds dogs per year, an animal menagerie or a wholesale wild animal dealer.

There is no requirement to purchase the Hobby Breeder Permit just because you have three intact dogs; only if you are planning on breeding.

The text of all the proposed changes to the Ordinance can be found here.  Los Angeles County also provides animal services to many of the other cities in Los Angeles County.

Contact information for Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors is here.

The meeting will be held at the Hall of Administration, 500 W. Temple St.,  Los Angeles, CA 90012 at 9:30 am.  So to voice your opinion you need to contact your Supervisor today and be at the meeting tomorrow.

City of Los Angeles District 2 Election
Tomorrow, Tuesday, September 22 

and the winner will likely be governing you for the next 14 years.

Tomorrow is the election for Council District 2 which includes Sherman Oaks, Studio City, North Hollywood, Sunland and Tujunga, an area with many dog owners and dog lovers.  While there are ten candidates, three are considered "viable" candidates; 
Paul Krekorian, Chris Essel and Tamar Galatzan. 

CDOC has spoken to five of the candidates, including these three, about Animal Issues. 

Chris Essel - Movie Executive.  Supported by former Council Member and current City Controller, Wendy Gruel.  Would be new to city politics in an elected capacity.  Does not have a hard and fast opinion on this issue; very fact oriented; willing to listen to both sides.  Fastest to respond to CDOC.

Paul Krekorian - Current Assembly Member.  Voted for AB1634, for SB250 (after a meeting in the morning and a review of what MSN does), and HSUS "Man of the Year".  No explanation of why he would want to give up state seat; speculation is the much greater compensation at City level. Supported by Democratic Party.

Tamar Galatzan - Current School Board Member, Prosecutor.  "I absolutely support Mandatory Spay and Neuter".  Close friend of the Mayor.

With ten candidates, this is the time for people with a special interest to get behind one candidate and make a difference.  So if you live in the area, please vote; this time your vote can make a difference.  If you do not vote, you cannot complain about whatever happens here.  If you know people in this area, please forward this and ask them to be sure to vote.

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WHAT A SURPRISE! NAVA for Attorney General and FLOREZ for Lt. Governor

We just received this email from Pedro Nava.  This must have come as a huge surprise to him.  Whoever would have thought that just because he did two bills for HSUS they would agree to have their legislative fund support him.  

The CDOCDogPAC recommendations will be out closer to the primaries.  So don't send all your money to Nava this week!

Humane Society Legislative Fund Endorses Nava

for Ca Attorney General

September 16, 2009                                                        

Assemblymember and former prosecutor, Pedro Nava announced today that he has been endorsed by the Humane Society Legislative Fund.

"The kind of leadership on animal protection issues that Pedro Nava brings is rare," adds Wayne Pacelle, Executive Vice President of HSLF. "Californians who care about animal protection should cast their ballot for Nava during the primary election."

"I am gratified to earn the Humane Society's endorsement for Attorney General," said Nava. "The organization represents compassionate people all across our country who care deeply about animal welfare. It is truly an honor to have their support. "

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LOS ANGELES TIMES ENDORSES ANIMALS BILLS

In a surprising editorial the Los Angeles Times urged the Governor to sign SB241, AB242 and AB243, as well as SB 135. The end their editorial as follows:

 "Some opponents of these bills favor improving the lives of pets and livestock but suspect a hidden agenda by the U. S. Humane Society, which backs them: First comes kindness to cows, these critics worry , and next, a mandatory diet of wheat germ and water. That fear shouldn't stop the state from doing what is right. These bills are small steps toward improved animal welfare, but they move California in the right direction."

 CDOC supports AB242. We sent a letter of opposition on AB242 because we believe the standard should have been 'animal cruelty' which is defined in the law very differently. And we oppose AB241 because it is poorly written, describes 4 month old animals as adults, doesn't provide sufficient exemptions for service organizations such as Canine Companions for Independence

 We would urge all of you to get your letters of opposition to the Governor's Office as soon as possible. This does create a new animal mandate and as such can involve state costs.

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FROM DOGGY BLURB

REJECTED: California’s SB 250 Mandatory Spay/Neuter

Last Tuesday, the California State Assembly voted 28-42 to reject SB 250, known as the “Pet Responsbility Act.” The bill stated that all California pets (dogs and cats) would require mandatory spaying and neutering, as well as cost the government millions of dollars- they don’t have- to this new program.

With the help of Concerned Dog Owners of California (CDOC), Save Our Dogs, and other opponents, the ralliers proved that the bill that State Senator Dean Florez (D-Shafter) proposed had many “flaws, lack of effectiveness and high costs…” like a bill already in the Santa Cruz area.

CDOC’s President, Bill McFadden, spoke briefly during a press conference, stating,

“We are pleased to have been effective advocates on behalf of owners of all types of dogs and pets, as well as working dogs, in California. We look forward to addressing these issues next year in a way that does not disenfranchise responsible pet owners, ranchers and farmers, law enforcement personnel and the disabled who rely on service dogs.”

State Senator Florez proposed the bill as a suggestion to reducing animal overpopulation. SB 250 will be up for consideration once again in January 2010.

Images courtesy of Concerned Dog Owners of America and Yes on SB 250

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