Animal advocates sue county shelter

Hanford Sentinel, The (CA)
Author: Eiji Yamashita   
Publish Date: November 3, 2007
Word Count: 572
Document ID: 11CB72C82F7E0908

The Kings County Animal Control shelter is illegally allowing owners to abandon their unwanted dogs and cats in an after-hours "drop box"; and subsequently killing animals before they can be adopted, animal welfare advocates asserted in a lawsuit.

The suit, filed in Kings County Superior Court, also alleges that the shelter's practice violates the law that has been in place for eight years.

The law cited in the suit, dubbed the Hayden Act, took effect in 1998 to reduce the number of animals euthanized. It requires longer holding periods, the provision of medical care to sick or injured animals, and working with rescue organizations.

The suit seeks a court injunction to stop the "drop box" practice based on the Hayden Act.

County officials said it's disputable whether or not the drop box is legal.

The animal shelter, run by the county sheriff's department, came under fire last year when advocates, including a former animal control deputy, faced county government leaders with a list of complaints and allegations of neglect, and called for changes.

The lawsuit is similar to the one brought against Kern County a few years ago. The suit there was also based on violations of the so-called Hayden Act and allegations of illegal drop boxes.