HomeMy WebLinkAboutLetter from Best Friends Animal Society IIC.P°- E�COI.INT
ADMINISTRATiON
(11111? Best SEP 2 7 2016
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September22, 2016
Paul Hahn, Clerk of the Board
25 County Center Drive,
Suite 200
Oroville,CA 95965
Re: Changes to the state vicious dog statute that affect your ordinance
Dear Clerk of the Board Hahn.
Governor Brown recently signed into law Assembly Bill 1825,which made significant changes to the definition of
"vicious dog”found in.Section 31603 of the Food and Agricultural Code.Specifically,the state removed part(a) of
the definition,which had previously designated all dogs"seized under Section S99aa of the Penal Code and upon the
sustaining of a conviction of the owner or beeper under subdivision(a)of Section 597.5 of the renal Code" as
"vicious.”
As a result of the new law„the state no longer considers dogs seized from convicted dog fighters to be per se
vicious. California became the 40th state to recognize that the victims of dog fighting can and do go on to live great
lives,be it as a therapy or service dogs or simply as a family pet.
As you know,your vicious dog ordinance makes reference to Section 31.603 of the Food and Agricultural Code and
incorporates the same definition laid out in the statute.As a result,as of January 1, 2017 (the effective date),dogs
seized from convicted dog fighters in your jurisdiction will no Longer be automatically labeled"vicious".
Since your law incorporates Section 31603 into your ordinance, no further action is required on your part.
Best Friends was the primary organization that pushed to enact AB 1825 and we have worked on similar laws
throughout the country. If you have any questions or concerns,we are here to help you with the transition.
Please don't hesitate to contact me if there is anything l can do to be of assistance.
Sincerely,
Lee Greenwood
Enclosure
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AUTHENTICATED
EuCtWmC LEGALMATMAL
Assembly Bill No. 1825
CHAP'T'ER 97
An act to amend Section 31603 of the Food and Agricultural Code,
relating to dogs.
[Approved by Govemor July 25,2016.Filed with
Secretary of State July 25,2016.]
LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
AB 1825,Gordon. Vicious dogs:definition.
Existing law provides for the designation and disposition of certain
categories of dogs as potentially dangerous or vicious dogs pursuant to a
specified judicial process, and requires that designation to be included in
the registration records of the dog. Existing law defines the term"vicious
dog" to include, among others, dogs seized pursuant to specified animal
cruelty laws.
This bill would delete this category of dog from the above-specified
definition of"vicious dog."
The people of the State of California do enact as follows:
SECTION 1. Section 31603 of the Food and Agricultural Code is
amended to read:
31603. "Vicious dog"means any of the following:
(a) Any dog that, when unprovoked, in an aggressive manner, inflicts
severe injury on or kills a human being.
(b) Any dog previously determined to be and currently listed as a
potentially dangerous dog that,after its owner or keeper has been notified
of this determination,continues the behavior described in Section 31602 or
is maintained in violation of Section 31641, 31642,or 31643.
O
97