Today, the California Senate Local Government Committee passed, by a 3-2 vote, California Assembly Bill 1634 with amendments taken by the author. Senators Gloria Negrete McLeod, Christine Kehoe, and Michael Machado voted in favor, while Senators Dave Cox and Tom Harman voted against the measure. The bill will now go to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration.
During the discussion of AB 1634, the author agreed to amend the bill in an attempt to address the concerns of many groups, including the AKC, regarding oral or written complaints. The bill now will permit—not mandate—the issuance of a citation and the payment of a civil penalty by the owner of an intact dog that is the subject of a complaint. As reported previously, noise or barking dog complaints will not qualify under this section.
The AKC, however, remains concerned with the section of AB 1634 regarding complaints, including not explicitly requiring that complaints be validated or be made under oath, and as to whether complaints can be made anonymously. The AKC intends to work, through the amendment process on the Senate floor, to address our concerns with the bill.
For more information, please contact AKC's Government Relations Department at (919) 816-3720, or e-mail doglaw@akc.org.
Today, the California Senate Local Government Committee passed, by a 3-2 vote, California Assembly…