A Dog and Cat Bill of Rights has been introduced by a California lawmaker who wants to see pets live “happier, healthier lives.” Assembly Bill 1881 was introduced by Miguel Santiago (D-Los Angeles) on February 11.
Santiago, a pet owner, said:
“As an owner of two dogs myself, I am proud to author the Dog and Cat Bill of Rights to help our furry friends live happier, healthier lives. Our dogs and cats deserve to be loved, and cared for, and the Dog and Cat Bill of Rights will help inform potential adopters of the care needed to create a healthy environment for their adopted pets.”
The proposed bill states:
This bill would enact the Dog and Cat Bill of Rights, and would require every public animal control agency or shelter, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals shelter, humane society shelter, or rescue group to post a copy of the Dog and Cat Bill of Rights. The bill would impose a civil penalty for failure to post the Dog and Cat Bill of Rights, as specified. The bill would make legislative findings and declarations in support of the Dog and Cat Bill of Rights. By imposing new duties on local public officials, the bill would create a state-mandated local program.
The bill, which is sponsored by Social Compassion in Legislation, an advocacy group, recognizes cats and dogs as sentient beings:
(a) Dogs and cats have the right to be respected as sentient beings that experience complex feelings that are common among living animals while being unique to each individual animal.
And outlines their various rights, including:
(e) Dogs and cats have the right to preventive and therapeutic health care.
(f) Dogs and cats have the right to be properly identified through tags, microchips, or other humane means.
(g) Dogs and cats have the right to be spayed and neutered to prevent unwanted litters.
This is fabulous! It should also clearly state that no dog or cat be euthanized unless suffering irremediably.
I agree re: euthanasia.
Finally – rights for animals!!!
This is great! It’s about time that companion animals are given a chance at a better life.
RIGHT ON CONGRESSMAN SANTIAGO!!! 💪🇺🇸 RENEE CARIGLIA
I was about to ask re euthanasia, too many adoptable, healthy companion animals of all ages are arbitrarily killed for no reasonable reason in the shelter systems and I understand that California ahs a pretty poor record for this practice.