LOS ANGELES, CA – Today, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion authored by Supervisor Hilda L. Solis and co-authored by Supervisor Janice Hahn to reduce the rate of euthanized animals in the care of the Department of Animal Care and Control.

Earlier this month, a 3-month-old puppy named Bowie was erroneously euthanized at the Baldwin Park Animal Care Center. His death sparked outrage among community members who reasonably expect the County’s Department of Animal Care and Control services to be conducted with care and precision. Between July 1, 20,22 and November 30, 2022, of the over 12,000 animals that entered the County’s care, close to 4,000 were euthanized.

“We can and must do better to save the innocent animals that come into the County’s care,” Supervisor Solis said. “This motion calls for a full accounting of the mistakes that led to the euthanasia of Bowie and a plan to ensure that something like this never happens again.”

“What happened to Bowie and to the other four dogs at the Baldwin Park Care Center is heartbreaking and unacceptable. Animals in our care centers are our responsibility and their lives depend on us doing our absolute best,” said Chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Janice Hahn. “We need answers about why this happened, and we need to make sure that in the future, staff have every opportunity available to partner with our great rescue partners like Paws for Life K9 Rescue to give these dogs a chance at life and rehabilitation.”

The motion approved today directs the Department of Animal Care and Control to provide a full report in 30 days on what led to the use of euthanasia on the 3-month-old puppy and a plan to prevent similar events.

Additionally, it requires the department to provide the Board of Supervisors with a 5-year plan to decrease the number and percentage of animals who are euthanized with built-in annual benchmarks that includes the reasons for animals being euthanized, an analysis of how to expand the prevention programs, and other necessary actions to reduce the euthanasia rate.

To read today’s full motion, click here.

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