New California animal protection laws

Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle (baby) - official CA marine repitile

"For much of 2012, issues like taxes and schools dominated the discussion in California's state Capitol. But lawmakers and Gov. Jerry Brown also spent considerable attention on the animal kingdom.  ....  But Brown -- who continued to sign and veto hundreds of bills Friday as a Sunday deadline for his actions loomed -- signed roughly a dozen other animal welfare bills this year as well, often with much less fanfare." 

Improved laws include spectator fines doubled for animal fighting, even jail up to 6 months. People charged with animal cruelty will not easily regain their animals, and must pay veterinary bills when animals are confiscated.

"....  "Two bills that affect the state's Fish and Game operations. One, AB 2402, by Assemblyman Jared Huffman, D-San Rafael, changes the name of the agency to "Department of Fish and Wildlife," which downplays hunting. Another, AB2609, by Assemblyman Ben Hueso, D-San Diego, requires that members of the Fish and Game Commission have wildlife backgrounds and that the commission's president be elected by other commission members."  Silicon Valley Mercury News/Paul Rogers, 9/30/12.  "California lawmakers pass a wave of new animal protection laws."   Read article.

"Californians will no longer be allowed to use dogs to hunt bears. Governor Jerry Brown has signed SB 1221, making California the 15th state to pass this type of ban.

-- Brown signed several other bills related to animal protection. SB 1229 bans landlords from requiring owners to declaw their cats or devocalize their dogs. SB 1500 is designed to improve the handling process of animals seized during cruelty or neglect cases. AB 1776 names the endangered Pacific Leatherback Sea Turtle as the official marine reptile of California."  My Mother Lode.News/B.J. Hansen, 9/27/12. "Wave of animal protection laws approved in California."   Read article. 

Related -  Jane Goodall, "Hope for animals and their world"/Dr. Scott A. Eckert, includes picture of full grown Leatherback Turtle.
"Leatherback Turtle", Dr. Scott A. Eckert 

Posted by Kathy Meeh