HomeMy WebLinkAboutLa Malfa LetterSTATE CAPITOL
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OROVILLE, CA 95965
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REDDING, CA 96002
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CRESCENT CITY, CA 95531
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July 31, 2012
iVr. Steve Lambert
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SENATOR
DOUG LA MALFA
F'OlJF2TH SENATE DISTRICT
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Supervisor, Butte County
25 County Center Drive, Suite 200
Orovilie, CA 95965
Dear Supervisor Lambert,
COMMITTEES
NATURAL RESOURCES & WATER
VIC E-CHAIR
ELECTIONS & CONSTITUTIONAL
AMENDMENTS
VICE-CHAIR
AGRICULTURE
BUOGET & FISCAL REVEEW
GOVERNANCE & FINANCE
JOINT LEG€S(.,,ATIVE AUDIT
JOINT FAIRS, ALLOCATIONS &
CLASSIFICAT30N5
CHAIR
f o~ su~v~soas
AUG Q 2 2012
IpRiDillLL~ CALlFO~A
I appreciate knowing of your views regarding Senate Bill 1221 {Lieu). 5B 1221 prohibits the use of
hunting dogs to hunt bears or bobcats and also authorizes the Department of Fish and Game {DFGJ to
capture,or kill any dog engaged in either activity:
There are so many things wrong with this bili it is hard to know where to begin. First, the California Fish
and Game Commission is vested with the authority to manage the state's wildlife, has broad discretion
over the methods of hunting and fishing, and is the appropriate venue to study and hear public input on
these issues and make an evidence-based judgment.
Second, there is no data that indicates that either bears or bobcats are diminishing in population;
therefore, there is no documented need for the bill other than to blatantly inhibit sportsmen from
hunting bears or bobcats in generai. The author contends that "hunting hounds are often neglected,
killed or wounded in the hunt, or abandoned in the field," but any pattern of abuse has not been
substantiated. it is hard to imagine that valuable, trained hunting dogs which often double as beloved
family pets would be readily sacrificed.
The author's office also provided statements by landowners and humane societies concerned with the
practices of houndsmen in their area. The violations include hunting out of season or in areas where
hunting is not allowed, or the violation of trespassing laws. These are enforcement issues, not issues
caused by legal hunting. This bill does nothing to resolve the need for proper enforcement.
wasn't altogether surprised that.th.is bill-is sponsored by the.Numane Society of the United States,
which "...strongly opposes the recreational hunting of wild animals, as the sport is fundamentally at
odds with the values of, a humane, just, and caring society." However, I do find it ironic that the HSUS
doesn't have a problem allowing DFG to capture and kill domesticated, trained hunting-dogs.
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I voted in opposition to SB 1221 when it came before the Senate Natural Resources Committee on April
24. I also opposed the bill when it passed the full Senate on May 21 by a vote of 22-15. 561221 failed
passage by a vote of 6-4 (only one vote shy of passage) in the Assembly Water, Parks and Wildlife
Committee on June 26; however, the bill was granted reconsideration and was voted out of the
committee on a party line vote fast month. The bill is now set to be heard in Assembly Appropriations
Committee an August 8t~.
If you are interested in tracking this or other legislation, you can access the bill text, analyses, status and
vote history from my Senate homepage at www,sen.ca.gov/lamalfa.
Thank you for taking the time to relay your views on this important bill. Please contact my office on
other issues of interest to you at the state level,
Sincerely,
D g LaMalfa
Senator, Fourth District
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