ANIMAL WELFARE

  If you feel your animal has been harmed or disfigured please contact us.  We will put you in touch with people who will answer your questions and help you to file a report with California Veterinary Medical Board.  It's easy, quick and justified.  It's up to you to stop veterinarians, veterinary technicians, groomers and farriers from harming your pet. 

You have our new email address don't you? ~:  foccasanimals@gmail.com

Note:  All FOCCAS collection/donation boxes are  marked with our name, address and phone number.   FOCCAS is not affiliated with any other group.

 Local Court Cases

1)  According to the Colusa Sun-Herald July 27, 2010 article "Neighbors Outraged over return of pit bull"  the pit bull owned by Luis Alberto Ramirez of Williams attacked, mauled and killed a poodle that was being walked, on a leash, by it's 17 year old owner.  Ramirez was charged with a "dog at large" violation. The pit bull was impounded by Colusa County Animal Control.  The state law being that if an animal kills another animal or causes physical harm to a person in two incidents within a 3 year period the court can deem the animal vicious or dangerous.  The owner claims his pit bull has not attacked before so he paid the fines,  bailed out his dog and returned to his Williams home.

Mr. Ramirez has a court date before Judge Tiernan on Tuesday August 3rd at 1:00 pm for a Colusa County Code violation "Dog At Large".   Court is open to the public.  UPDATE 8/3/10  Luis Alberto Ramirez answered the charges of Colusa County Code 3-7 "Dog at Large" by posting bail in the amount of $213 on July 30, 2010.  Bail was paid and conviction was forfeited.

2)  February 2010: charges of animal cruelty are being brought against a Colusa couple who failed to provide adequate food to one of their dogs under California Penal Code 597(b):.."every person who fails to provide the animal of proper food, drink or shelter or protection from the weather...".  The chained emaciated adult dog had protruding hip bones with all ribs easily observed as well as open wounds (bed sores).     UPDATE 3/10:  The court has set an arraignment  date for the above case for 1:00 Tuesday April 6th before Judge Tiernan.   Proceedings are open to the public.  UPDATE 4/6/10:  Jose Ariel Serna and Marie Inez Serna of Colusa pleaded guilty to one charge each of animal cruelty in court today.  Two skinny dogs were tied to plywood doghouses.  The white female Boxer/PitBull was in such emaciated condition that she was euthanized.  The brown dog is gaining weight.  Mrs. Serna stated that they did not have the money to feed the dogs.  Judge Tiernan told the Serna's  " that the dog should never have gotten to the point that it was in.  Both dogs were suffering."  The judge sentenced both to probation for 18 months, a  $440 fine + all fees and they must allow their property including the house to be searched by animal control and any law enforcement officer in order to monitor any animals care.

** When you see animal cruelty you can save a life by calling the appropriate law enforcement agencies which are listed  below on this page.  If you do not receive an appropriate response from the agencies please contact us. 

If you do file a report with an agency please follow up with them in a few days to verify that an officer has been assigned and has responded to scene. Unfortunately animal cruelty cases are a low priority  to them but we can help change that with constant vigilance.  Contact us if we can assist you:  foccasanimals@gmail.com.

Who do I report animal cruelty to?  

As of August 1, 2009 the agencies you contact have changed.  The agencies will respond to calls within their own jurisdiction. For example If you live in the city of Colusa you would call the Colusa City Police, if you live in the city of Williams you would call the Williams Police Dept.  If you live anywhere else in the county, you would call the Sheriffs Dept.

                Colusa City Police             (530)  458 - 7778  or  458 - 7777    

                Williams City Police           (530)  473 - 2661

                Sheriff's Department          (530)  458 - 0200

The Colusa County Animal Control  Officers will respond only to seize an animal or for consultation by the responding officers. 

Local - State -  Federal   Legislation Status 2011 - 2012

State

AB1117 Animal Cruelty Prohibit Ownership: Requires an individual convicted of animal cruelty or neglect to relinquish custody of animals and prohibit a person convicted of animal cruelty from owning an animal for a period of 5 years for misdemeanor and 10 years for felony with some exemptions. 

 To amend Penal Code Section 597.1 and add to 597.9

Passed the Assembly, amended by Senate.  Goes to Senate Appropriations Committee - hearing 7-11-2011.

UPDATE: This Bill was approved by the Governor on October 7, 2011.  There are further stipulations that AB1279 must pass in order for AB1117 to take effect. 

SB917 Animal Cruelty Violation:  Increases penalty for violation to PC597 which states no persons shall deprive food, drink, shelter, torment, beat or overwork any animal.  (This is in summary of the Penal Code 597 which in larger terms defines animal cruelty).  Violation changes from a misdemeanor to a felony with imprisonment in county jail for 1 year and or a fine not greater than $20,000. 

Goes to the Committee on Appropriations - hearing on 7-6-2011.

UPDATE: Amends PC597 & adds 597.4 to the Penal Code.  Approved by the Governor on July 26, 2011. 

AMENDS PC597(d) ..punishable by imprisonment in a county jail for not more than 1 year or in state prison of by a fine of not more than $20,000 or by both that fine and imprisonment.

ADDS PC597.4  It shall be a crime, punishable as specified for a person to willfully sell or give away as part of a commercial transaction, a live animal on any street, highway, public right-of-way, parking lot, carnival or boardwalk or to display or offer for sale or display or offer to give away as part of a commercial transaction, a live animal if the act of selling or giving away the live animal is to occur on any street, highway, public right-of-way, parking lot, carnival or boardwalk.

Existing law provides that a pet store shall not sell, offer for sale, trade, or barter any dog or cat that is under 8 weeks of age but may sell, offer for sale, trade, or barter a dog or cat over 8 weeks of age only if the animal is weaned.

SB 425 Cockfighting Penalty:  Any owner who admits a minor under the age of 16 to a place where a cockfight is advertised or takes place and who admits, sells, gives to a ticket to a minor shall face a fine not to exceed $500 and or imprisonment in county jail for not more than 25 days.

This bill will amend  Penal Code Section 310, 597h & 598.1 .  The Bill was introduced by Senator Ron Calderon. 

Goes to the Committee on Appropriations - hearing 7-6-2011

UPDATE: Passed by the Governor October 7, 2011.

AMENDS PC597(h) increase of the fine in the case of cockfighting to an amount not to exceed $500.

AMENDS PC598.1 increase fine to $2,500 for a person who ties or attaches a live animal to any machine or device propelled by any power for the purpose of causing that animal to be pursued by a dog or dogs.

Federal

HR 3501 Humanity & Pets Partnered Through the Years: Will amend IRS Code of 1986 to allow deductions for pet care expenses.  An individual may deduct veterinary care expenses, not the purchase of the pet, not to exceed $3,500 per year.  The animal must be legally owned, domesticated and not used for research or in conjunction with a trade or business.  (This is was introduced 7/31/09.  UPDATE:  Goes to the House Ways & Means Committee. (7/10)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

SB425 Cockfighting Penalty       Passed - 2011         California State Law

See Bill information above.

AB242  Dogfighting:        Passed   - 2009                     California State Law

 Any person is guilty of a felony and shall be imprisoned for  1 1/2 - 3 years or fined not to exceed $50,000 or both - who owns, possesses, or trains dogs with intent to fight another dog; permits dog fighting on your property; any person to be known as a spectator.

SB318 Dogfighting forfeitures:     Passed  - 2009         California State Law

 Allows for seizure of assets acquired or used by dogfighting participants or property owners who allow their premises to be used for dogfighting.

Puppy mills can be large operations or a backyard breeder.  Both forego the health of the animals in order to make a profit.  Puppy's are sold in newspapers and on the internet. 

Learn how you can stop these unscrupulous people.  If you know of a situation please report it to the agencies on the left.  You can give your first name only.

       * * * * * * * * * * * *

California Legislation 2011

Read complete details of the Bills here.