California Senate Bill 250 has been amended to allow local governments to utilize existing procedures to issue intact dog licenses or to charge a fee to offset their costs. These amendments are an attempt to prevent the state from having to reimburse local governments for costs associated with enforcement of SB 250. The amendments also specifically exempt dogs engaged in legal hunting activities from being cited as at-large.
The bill continues to require sterilization if a dog is at-large, if the dog is not licensed, and if the dog violates local animal control ordinances, even on a first offense. This is an unreasonable standard as even a responsible owner can have a single incident where an animal is let out by a meter reader, neighbor or faulty gate. The American Kennel Club continues to oppose this bill as it unreasonably penalizes responsible dog owners and breeders. We encourage legislators to draft legislation that targets owners who are consistently irresponsible, rather than passing legislation that will harm responsible members of the community.
Existing state law already requires owners of intact animals to pay a license fee that is at least double that of licensing a sterilized animal (Food and Agriculture Code Section 30804.5) and provides for enhanced and graduated fines for owners whose intact dogs are impounded (Food and Agriculture Code Section 30804.7). These statutes are sufficient to incentivize owners to sterilize their animals and to address animal control concerns with specific intact animals who are repeatedly impounded.
- Call or Write your Senator – Click here to find out who represents you in the State Senate. For a sample letter, please click here.
- It is particularly important that the majority Senate Democratic leadership hear our opposition to this bill.
Senator Darrell Steinberg, President Pro Tempore
State Capitol, Room 205
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 651-4006
Fax: (916) 323-2263
E-mail: Senator.Steinberg@senate.ca.gov
Senator Leland Yee, Assistant President Pro Tempore
State Capitol, Room 4074
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 651-4008
Fax: (916) 327-2186
E-mail: Senator.Yee@senate.ca.gov
Senator Dean Florez, Majority Leader (Author of SB 250)
State Capitol, Room 313
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 651-4016
Fax: (916) 327-5989
E-mail: Senator.Florez@senate.ca.gov
Senator Jenny Oropeza, Democrat Caucus Chair
State Capitol, Room 5114
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone: (916) 651-4028
Fax: (916) 323-6056
E-mail: Senator.Oropeza@senate.ca.gov
California Senate Bill 250 has been amended to allow local governments to utilize existing…