LOS ANGELES (KNX) - A bill that would stop unnecessary euthanasia in animal shelters has advanced to state legislature.
Bowie's Law would require 72-hour public notice before an animal is euthanized in California, according to the bill’s lead author, State Assemblyman Bill Essayli.
“Most people are surprised to learn that shelters don't have to give any notice before euthanizing totally healthy and adoptable pets,” he told KNX News.
The law was named after a puppy named Bowie who was "erroneously" euthanized by an employee at the Baldwin Park Shelter in December.
“A rescue group reached out to adopt him,” Essayli explained. “They emailed and said that they will take him and without reading the email or acknowledging the email, (the shelter) went ahead and euthanized him later that day.”
Essayli said the bill does have opposition and that many animal shelters don't like it because it would impose an unfunded mandate.
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