ANIMALS ARE LIVING BEINGS
WITH  RIGHTS TO HUMANE TREATMENT!



***What YOU can do -- RIGHT NOW.***
In 1998, SB 1785 (the Hayden Law) was passed in California. Since the bill was signed into law in September, 1998, the Kern County Animal shelter has blatantly ignored both the letter and the spirit of the Hayden law. According to shelter records they have not complied with seven specific parts of the law. Other violations are under investigation as well.

The suit is based on two 1998 laws:

The Vincent Law (AB 1856) (signed into law by Governor Pete Wilson in 1998) requires that all animals adopted from a public or private shelter be spayed or neutered prior to release from the shelter.

The Hayden Law (SB 1785) (signed by Governor Wilson in 1998) is a comprehensive strategy for reducing the number of animals euthanized every year. It requires longer holding periods, provision of medical care to sick or injured animals, working with rescue organizations, community outreach and other actions, all designed to increase the number of adoptions, and decrease the number of animals killed. Kern County shelters in Bakersfield and Mojave euthanize between 20,000 and 25,000 animals every year.

Read an overview of the complaint.

Read Press Releases and New articles.
 **UPDATED** November 17, 2004
 
Why is this lawsuit so important?

This lawsuit is very important because it is a case of first impression and could be a landmark case. To our knowledge, no other lawsuit has been filed against a shelter about these laws being violated: The Hayden Law and the Vincent Law. This lawsuit could set a precedent and be referred to by future cases depending upon the outcome.

The entire legal filing. **UPDATED** November 16, 2004

A temporary restraining order is being filed on October, 29, 2004.

Any monies that are "left over" will be used to address similar problems at other animal shelters, or pay for costs to alert people to these problems, such as ads in newspapers, etc.

This case is being handled by Ventura, California attorney, Kate Neiswender on behalf of Kern County resident, Patricia Lock. The initial Petition for Writ of Mandate was filed on October 25, 2004 in Kern County Superior Court, Bakersfield, California.
How is this lawsuit being funded?
The Lawyer is billing the Plaintiff by the hour. Lawsuits costs thousands in lawyer fees, court fees etc. We are accepting donations to help defray the high price of forcing shelters to comply with the law.

How Can I Help Contribute?
Click here for an immediate donation to the cause:

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You can also donate via check or money order sent directly to the lawyer who is trying the case, please make checks out to Kate Neiswender and mail to:
 

Kate Neiswender, Esq. (make checks out to Kate Neiswender)
Post Office Box 24617
Ventura, CA 93002
 

All checks should be marked for the 'Kern County Case'. Donations are not tax-deductible, as this is considered a 'political' case because it is involved with forcing a public shelter to follow the law.

Any monies that may be "left over" will be used to address similar problems at other animal shelters, or pay for costs to alert people to these problems, such as ads in newspapers, etc.
Your Experiences
Have you had an experience with the Kern County Shelter that you think might help our case? Please let us know! Email experience@ShelterWatch.com

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Landmark Case
A landmark case, or landmark decision, is a court decision which is published by an appeals court or by the Supreme Court, on some matter that is serious or important to a large number of people. A landmark case, once decided, shows the usual way in which the court will rule on such issues in the future, and sometimes sets how lower courts must rule in the case of the same or a similar matter coming before them. It is sometimes referred to as a precedent setting case.

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Case of First Impression
A case in which a question of interpretation of law is presented which has never arisen before in any reported case. Sometimes, it is only of first impression in the particular state or jurisdiction, so decisions from other states or the federal courts may be examined as a guideline.

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