Animal Aid Law

I applaud your thoughtful comments regarding the Hayden bill (“Misguided Animal Aid Law,” editorial, Nov. 23).

While most would agree that this bill is well-intentioned, its requirements are simply impractical for a city as large as Los Angeles. Neighborhoods throughout the city continue to face a very serious problem of stray, injured and often violent dogs that have overwhelmed the Los Angeles Animal Regulation Department, an agency whose funding requests are often ranked below the need for additional police officers and other competing priorities.

In years past, I have successfully allocated funding for stray dog “sweeps” throughout the city. It is my belief that this proactive approach combined with increased investment in public education, new facilities and other resources for the department is both a humane and practical approach.

The mayor and City Council should support the department’s entire budgetary request for the next fiscal year.

MARK RIDLEY-THOMAS, Councilman, 8th District, Los Angeles