Victory for Dogs!

The California Supreme Court preserves the right of rescuers to save animals "shelters" are intent on killing

The same day rescuers expressed interest in Bowie, Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care & Control — which labeled him “behavior” and “unadoptable” — killed him. Instead of a new beginning, the little 10-pound terrier who should have had his whole life ahead of him, who never tried to bite, who posed no threat to anyone, was injected with an overdose of poison and turned to ash. He was barely 15 weeks old.

PAWS…. for some breaking news!

In a victory for dogs and their rescuers, the California Supreme Court just ruled against Los Angeles County’s bid to kill dogs rescue groups are willing to save.

When rescuers offer to save them, shelters cannot kill dogs by claiming that "the animal has a behavioral problem or is not adoptable or treatable.”

That is now binding law throughout the state and every California shelter must comply. Had Los Angeles won, more dogs like Bowie would have died.

Rescuers: know your rights by clicking here.

The case is Santa Paula Animal Rescue Center vs. County of Los Angeles. Lucky Pup Dog Rescue was also a plaintiff.

The No Kill Advocacy Center filed an amicus brief asking the Supreme Court to deny L.A. County’s petition. As we explained to the Justices, shelters are not competent — and ought not to be trusted — to determine that a dog is “unadoptable.”