LA Animal Services Commissioners to consider providing euthanized strays to University.
UPDATE 3/25/08:
Due to the negative public response to his initial report, Ed Boks resubmitted a revised proposal to the Los Angeles Board of Animal Services Commissioners, this time noting, “The medical staff of LA Animal Services will retain all decision-making authority over the animals in the Department’s care” and “This program will never result in any action or decision that would incentivize the selection of specific animals or hasten the end of an animal’s life so that its body could be used for any Western University programs.”
A few people attended yesterday’s meeting to oppose the proposal. The topic was discussed briefly; however, it will be added to the next meeting on April 14, when Western University representatives will be on hand to make their presentation.
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Earlier this week, Edward Boks the General Manager for the
Los Angeles Department of Animal Services submitted a report to be considered by the Board of Animal Services Commissioners, requesting the use of euthanized shelter animals for the
College of Veterinary Medicine at Western University of Health Sciences. The document lists the need for “at least 50, but no more than 200 per calendar year, of selected deceased animals to use for veterinary education purposes.”
“There is no benefit to the animals or the City of Los Angeles,” says Charlotte Laws, of
Directors of Animal Welfare (DAW). “The whole thing makes no sense and sends a dangerous precedent.” She feels this goes directly against the community’s collective desire to become no-kill. With the passage of the LA’s new
spay/neuter ordinance, collaboration between local animal welfare organizations is high and her fear is this would be a step backward for the city’s shelter animals.
Though opposed to this particular recommendation, Laws is supportive of LA Animal Services working together with the University’s veterinary students and states, “I would love to see them use what they know to
help the shelter animals.” She believes if animal bodies are needed as teaching aids, that guardians could choose to donate deceased pets to the college, much like human cadavers are donated to medical programs.
This topic is scheduled on the agenda for the upcoming Animal Services Commissioners Meeting.
Date: Monday, March 24, 2008
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: City Hall, 200 North Spring Street, Room 1060, Los Angeles, California
How to help:
• You can voice your opinion during the public comment period at Monday’s Animal Services Commissioners Meeting.
• Those wishing to contact the Commissioners may e-mail Ross Pool, the Los Angeles Animal Services Commission Secretary, at
ross.pool@lacity.org. Be sure to note “Western University” in the subject line and he will forward the correspondence on to the Commissioners.
For more information:
•
Edward Boks’ Report to the Board of Animal Services Commissioners•
City of Los Angeles Board of Animal Services Commissioners Meeting Agenda: Monday, March 24, 2008Posted by Jennifer Hayes, Best Friends Staff
Photo credit: taken by Jennifer Hayes