Watch CBS News

Animal Advocates Fight Plan To Shorten Euthanasia Time

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) — He's the first dog of California, but now Sutter Brown, the cute Corgi, is the symbol of a campaign to keep the governor from allowing animal shelters to euthanize animals after three days instead of the current mandated minimum six days.

"You can't accomplish anything at three days," said David Ludlow at the Sacramento city shelter. "People don't come in here every three days."

More than 300 people who have joined the Facebook page "Sutter's Friends" are against Gov. Brown's proposal to repeal what's known as the Hayden law.

"Sometimes it's not just all about the money," dog trainer Matthew Margolis said.

Margolis is speaking out against the repeal, which the Department of Finance says will save the state $46.3 million next year.

"I can't see him saying to his little dog, 'listen you have three more days left. I don't thinks he'd do it, and I don't think his wife would let him to do it."

Rick Johnson, the CEO of the Sacramento SPCA, is against the repeal too, but says those three extra days are expensive.

"By the time the animal is adopted or reclaimed but its owner, it's going to cose upwards of $100, $150 per animal," he said.

According to the state legislative analyst's office, the extra three days do not result in more dogs getting adopted. Still, CBS13 had a hard time finding anyone who thought repealing the law was a good idea.

"Six days is much better," Diana Ruth of Elk Grove said. "It gives people time to find their animals.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.