IN THE NEWS - 2009

Culver City News
January 8, 2009
By Katie L. Fetting
Editor

Council shelter vote thrills animal lovers.
Move from Carson facility to Hawthorne shelter expected to improve conditions.

On Nov. 10, the city council voted unanimously to house Culver City pets and wildlife at the SPCA-LA shelter in Hawthorne in lieu of the current contract facility, the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Control shelter in Carson. The council's 5-0 decision proved welcome news to Culver City's animal rights community.

"This is an extremely positive move. Residents in other cities have
contacted me to say this speaks very well of our city," said Deborah
Weinrauch, director of the Friends of Culver City Animals. "We as Friends of Culver City Animals cannot praise the council members enough for their 5-0 vote in favor of the move to the humane SPCA."

For Culver City Councilman Gary Silbiger, the decision to change facilities was essential to the public interest."The SPCA is a very supportive organization and have been around for over 100 years. They're the leading organization for trying to reform the laws and practices having to do with all sorts of animals. (Mistreatment of
animals) harms us morally as a society," he said.

Though Silbiger admitted the new arrangement may slightly increase city animal control costs, the Hawthorne shelter "isn't a big ticket item.""If great services replace poor services and we have to pay a little extra, that's what city government does," said Silbiger. "No city overnment should be doing something that's not helpful just to save a little money."

Culver City animals are already being rerouted to Hawthorne, according to Silbiger."It started sometime within the last week. People should look for their animals there now," he said.

Complaints against the Carson facility have ranged from gross negligence to deliberate malice, according to Weinrauch. Multiple lawsuits have named Director of Los Angeles County Animal Care and Control Marcia Mayeda as a co-defendant along with the Department of Animal Control, the Board of Supervisors and Los Angeles County.

Weinrauch visited the Carson shelter "many, many times" and described the conditions as "beyond horrible." "(It was) filthy: Cockroaches in the food. No food. Urine and feces all over the walls. Animals sick next to animals that were healthy. Freezing cold. Filthy water or no water. Animals that had been injured had healthy animals jumping on them. Injured animals were sitting in their own feces and urine," explained Weinrauch.

In addition to the allegations of unsanitary conditions, a legal complaint posted to the Friends of Culver City Animals' website accuses the Carson shelter of euthanizing animals before the expiration of the state mandated holding period.

Mayeda denied the Carson shelter was breaking any laws.

Culver City Observer
March 19, 2009

IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL CULVER CITY RESIDENTS!

SPCA-LA now serves as the Culver City animal shelter for ALL lost, stray, found, owner turn in, and injured pets PLUS ALL wildlife PLUS ALL dead animals.

The public and the County animal control officers are instructed to take all animals to the SPCA-LA shelter conveniently located in Hawthorne at 12910 Yukon Avenue, Hawthorne, CA 90250. Their telephone number is: (310) 676-1149.

The shelter is open Wednesday through Friday from 11:00 – 6:00; Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 – 5:00.

Telephone messages can be left at any time and are checked by staff throughout each day. Calls are returned by staff at their earliest opportunity.

The Culver City Animal Services Officer will begin serving Culver City residents in the near future. In the meantime, when SPCA-LA is closed, LA County animal control officers are still required to take all animals directly to SPCA-LA.

For more information, call SPCA-LA (Hawthorne) at (310) 676-1149 or Friends of Culver City Animals at (888) 893-9909.

Culver City Observer
April 9, 2009
Letters to the Editor

Dear Editor:

Noticeably absent from Mayor Malsin's litany of Culver City's projects, accomplishments and commendations was the decision to hire an Animal Control Officer, spearheaded by the Friends of Culver City Animals.Why the omission?

Anita Jaskol
Culver City

Culver City Observer
April 30, 2009
Letters to the Editor

Culver City has a dirty, little secret that officials would prefer no one knows about: animal abuse.

I was at the Boneyard a few days ago with my dogs and witnessed two young women beating and choking their young dog. As his cries of terror and pain pierced the air, many of us tried to stop the girls from hurting their dog. We yelled at them, but they ignored us; one giggled on her cell phone while the other continued to smack the dog on its head. Perhaps because of our anger and outrage, they left the park, but continued their physical assault as they dragged the crying dog on his stomach over the dirt and gravel, over the gutter, onto the sidewalk and down the hill. They repeatedly kicked his hindquarters, and, at one point, grabbed him by the collar, lifted him completely off the ground, and chuckled gleefully as their dog gasped and gurgled, his legs struggling wildly in the air. The dog could not breathe! When they saw me following them, they threw the dog in the back seat of their car, hit him several more times, and drove off.

I took their license plate number and immediately went to Culver City police to file an animal abuse report. I expected the police to be as appalled as I, and that they would want to track the girls down through their license plate number. After all, it is against the law to abuse an animal.

The officers were polite, but not overly concerned. They didn't take a report from me, and were unsure what agency to refer me to to report the abuse. SPCA? LA County Animal Control? (sic) Which one? What's the telephone number? When I asked why Culver City did not have their own agency or officer to report to, the officers shrugged: no one has been hired yet, and, anyway, Culver City doesn't even have a truck to use for an Animal Control officer. I was also told "everyone" is short-staffed, there isn't enough money, "County" doesn't care or want to do anything, and, besides, the police officer told me, people can punish their dogs. The officer thought that what the women had done to their dog was "just a little animal abuse."

I was adamant and persistent: I wanted to report these girls: they committed a crime. I suggested the officer call LAPD's Animal Cruelty Task Force ( ACTF ); he had never heard of that unit and was glad I told him about the task force, but said he didn't think they'd help because "LAPD and CCPD don't get along." He finally found a telephone number for "County in Carson," and gave it to me, but doubted they'd take a report from me. County doesn't care. Another officer told me County was like a "concentration camp for dogs." Over and over I was told, "no one cares."

They're wrong. I care. And so I called. And called. And called. I left several voicemail messages for county Animal Care and Control (ACC), and two voicemail messages for the County "Major Case Unit." No one called me back. Animal Care...who are they kidding?

When I finally spoke with a woman at "County," she told me it's "against the law" for them to "track" a license plate number, and wondered why CCPD hadn't done that -- "it's their job" -- or taken a report. I begged her to take the report from me, get the necessary information from CCPD and help this dog. I told her I was concerned the girls would hurt him even more; maybe the dog would die as a result of their abuse. The woman at County finally took my report, but then told me "they probably wouldn't be able to do anything" because the license plate number wasn't enough information, and they got so many abuse calls everyday, and they didn't have enough people to check on each call. It's not that this dog is worthless, but, well, y'know....

A day after I saw the dog being beaten, and after leaving a message for Police Chief Don Pedersen, I spoke with the officer who will eventually supervise an ACC officer "just for Culver City." I also spoke with a Watch Commander, who then had a Community Service Officer take a report from me. She had no idea what procedure would be followed, but was told that, "at some point," after the "paperwork went through channels," it would "end up at County." I have followed-up with phone calls to County, but no one has seen a report from CCPD, or even pretends to care about that dog.

I am worried about that dog. I am scared the dog may have been beaten to death. And I'm worried about all the other animals in Culver City whose pain and suffering may be ignored. I am frustrated and angry that CCPD and County didn't care enough to act immediately to help this vulnerable dog. I am concerned that it is taking Culver City so long to hire "their own" ACC officer, and to properly equip a truck. How many more animals will be abused as a result of the delay? How long will apathy about animal abuse in Culver City be tolerated?

Please, don't make this all about the money. How much does it cost to be kind?

Sincerely,

Kellie Lichter
Culver City 90230

Culver City News
July 2, 2009

Culver City's Animal Services Officer Started July 1, 2009.

As of July 1, 2009, Culver City has begun its two-year Animal Services pilot program and our officer has hit the streets handling animal related calls-for-service and investigations in the city. The new program is under the supervision of the police department. Our Animal Services Officer will be on duty Monday - Thursday, 10am - 8pm. During the off service hours Los Angeles County Animal Care & Control will be covering calls-for-service.

Residents should call the police department at 310-837-1221 for routine matters. Emergency calls to 911 should be used with discretion.

Dog Licensing Requirements: Culver City residents who own a dog over four months of age are required to obtain a Culver City Dog License. To obtain a dog license you are required to have: A current rabies vaccination certificate; A microchip identification certificate; and a spay or neuter certificate*. The fees for a Culver City Dog License are $25 per dog, or $45 if the dog is not spayed or neutered*.

Cat licenses are voluntary, however cats should be vaccinated and should have a microchip implanted to aid in identification and recovery.

Households are limited to a maximum of three dogs and three cats over four months of age. Any other numbers require a special permit.

*Certain show dogs and dogs with a verified veterinarian exemption may not require spaying or neutering.

For further information you may visit the Culver City Web Site.

Culver City News
July 30, 2009

Animal Services Officer Saves the Day

Recently Culver City’s new Animal Services Officer (ASO), Stephanie Yarbro, was called to help local residents find their wayward pooches.  In both cases the dogs were being cared for by family friends while their owners were away on vacation.

Vice President of the Friends of Culver City Dog Park, Peter Vogel, and his wife Marci had left their dog Chado with a friend while they were away on vacation. Chado became frightened when the gardener came into the yard and ran out before the gate could be closed. Their friend gave chase but Chado got away. Peter and Marci got a frantic phone call, and Peter immediately contacted the new ASO through the Culver City Police Department dispatch at 310-837-1221. Officer Yarbro and her supervisor, Sergeant Webb, were on-scene within minutes and picked up the chase. Chado had traveled half a mile by the time they spotted him. They both jumped out of the ASO truck and continued on foot. Just as the officers were closing in, Chado made a run for it into Blanco Park. They chased him around the park until he finally pooped out.  Peter and Marci were extremely grateful from afar when they got the good news that Chado was safely returned. "We were worried to death thinking that Chado may be hit by a car," Peter said. "Marci and I couldn't wait to express our gratitude to Officer Yarbro in person for saving Chado."

In a second case, the Animal Services Officer was called when a local resident working at a storefront on Sepulveda spotted a brown dog without a collar or leash walking along the boulevard on the east side.  The resident was on the west side of the street and could not easily cross to get the dog. She knew she needed help and remembered that Culver City now has an Animal Services Officer.  So she called the Culver City Police dispatch at 310-837-1221 and within minutes Sgt. Webb and Officer Yarbro arrived.  They took additional information about the dog's appearance and location, and left to find the dog.  

Meanwhile, two middle school girls stopped at the Sepulveda store and frantically asked "Have you seen a brown dog?" The resident said "Yes and he was headed that way!"  The girls said "It's Bailey, and he got loose!"  The family of one of the girls had been dog sitting while Bailey's family was out of town.  Although Bailey had jumped the fence before, this time he wasn't wearing his collar because he'd been scratching at it the night before.  The two girls had to get back to the house to watch a younger brother and his friend while the girl's mother was driving around looking for Bailey too.  So Sgt. Webb and Yarbro in the ASO truck and the girl's mom in her car drove around looking for the missing brown dog.  After nearly an hour Bailey was found.   He was walking south on Huntley Avenue with a nice lady who noticed the missing collar and was trying to lure him to her home to help rescue him.  The wayward Bailey was returned safely to the home of the dogsitting family.  Everyone was thankful and appreciative, even Bailey.  

Culver City residents have ASO Yarbro to call when they lose or find an escape artist like Chado or Bailey.  The ASO position is a pilot program established by the city council in June 2008, and Yarbro was hired in July, 2009. According to the city, many residents' dogs are currently unlicensed although both state and city laws require owners to license their dogs so that the City can assist people whose pets are missing or need assistance and ensure that they are properly vaccinated. Pet license fees are used to support the city's expenditures for animal services and Officer Yarbro will be working with residents to increase the number of pets registered in Culver City. For more information on how and where to obtain a Culver City pet license, visit the Culver City Website.

Culver City Observer
September 17, 2009

Culver City Animal Services Officer Saves the Day -- and the Squirrels

Dear Editor: 

Upon arriving home in the afternoon on Monday, Labor Day, I saw a note pinned to my door from my upstairs neighbor that there might be a squirrel in my condo fireplace.  I thought it was a joke.  I live in Lakeside Village with fake fireplaces!  So I popped upstairs to my neighbor's condo and, sure enough, a squirrel was sticking its nose out of her fireplace - the part under the fake logs.  My neighbor's carpet was already torn away and she was discussing removing the fireplace!  It seems that the condo association had reported that the responsibility was the homeowner's - aside from the Common Area issue that chimneys are common area and the squirrel didn't walk in from the balcony... 

I called the Culver City Police Department and they indicated that our recourse was to call the County Animal Shelter office - not gonna happen on a holiday, I found out.  I walked down to my condo (first floor) and the next thing I saw was a furry face in my fireplace!  When I tried to release the creature, he wouldn't go anywhere.  I called a professional "trapper" who wanted $300 to set a trap but wouldn't promise capture.  And if captured, removal would be more - $100+ fees! 

I hunkered down for the evening - by then discovering there were 2 squirrels, not one!  Not Chip & Dale.  Not Rocket J. Squirrel.  Not a cartoon.  Furry creatures who, if they got loose in my condo, could get into anything, spread lice/fleas and could bite.  

After a sleepless night, I called the Culver City Police Department from work and asked for the Culver City Animal Control Officer.  Stephanie answered.  I told her the situation.  I rushed home to meet Stephanie at my condo. 

An hour later, with infinite patience, Stephanie removed the two squirrels with thick gloves and creative intervention and released them back onto the condo grounds from whence they came – and my condo is again a squirrel-free zone! 

“What do I owe you,” I asked,” besides my undying gratitude and peace of mind?”  “Nothing,” she stated.  OMG.  Where can I make a donation?   

I am so glad I was in favor of our own Culver City Animal Control Officer, enough to go to City Hall meetings and encourage our City Council persons to hire one a few months back!  I NEVER expected to need those services but I knew that others would. 

The County Animal Shelter indicated that once caught, the squirrels would have been destroyed.  I figured it wasn’t their fault that they sneaked into the chimney – I blame Lakeside Village Management for that – so why should they pay the ultimate penalty? 

Stephanie was courteous, professional and efficient. She had all the tools required for safety (for herself, us and the critters) and for the job to be done. 

I just wanted to publicly report – a job well done – for Stephanie, our Culver City Animal Control Officer!   Thank you Culver City and all those supporters, including the Friends of Culver City Animals who made Stephanie’s position possible! 

Patricia Levinson
Culver City
310-838-9774

Culver City News
October 22, 2009

ASO, Caring Vets and Community Save Smokey

Culver City Animal Services Officer Stephanie Yarbro responded to a call that a small cat had been hit by a car outside of Sony Pictures Studio. Within minutes Yarbro was at the scene, where she found a long-haired cat, alert but suffering from two broken legs.

Officer Yarbro and her supervisor Sgt. Mike Webb transported the cat to the City of Angels Animal Hospital, where it was stabilized and kept overnight.

Local resident and longtime animal advocate Christina Impastato, a volunteer with a local cat rescue organization, offered to transport the newly named Smokey the cat to spcaLA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals - Los Angeles) shelter in Hawthorne the next day, due to the fact that Culver City Animal Services is not open on Fridays. Dr. Karen Halligan, director of veterinary services for spcaLA, conducted an examination and determined that Smokey would require additional medical attention.

Halligan's goal was to save Smokey's life and legs, and she quickly realized that her injuries could only be repaired through surgery, and the clinic was not equipped for the type of orthopedic surgery that little Smokey required.

Through her many contacts, Halligan knew a veterinarian who could perform exactly the surgery that Smokey needed; Dr. Rachel Jones of the nearby Marina Veterinary Center. "Dr. Jones is a great surgeon and has a big heart too!" said Halligan. The spcaLA's shelter manager, Robert Lopez, transported Smokey to the veterinary hospital, where Halligan had already arranged with Jones to reduce the surgery to less than a third of the usual cost. In addition, Jones agreed to clear her schedule so that Smokey's surgery could be performed the next day to avoid her broken bones from mending improperly and painfully.

On Monday, Oct. 19, Jones performed the lengthy and delicate surgery on both of Smokey's legs. Halligan also took time out of her schedule to assist during the surgery. "I think it's great to have a vet like Dr. Jones, who is clearly devoted to helping animals," she said.

Both veterinarians report that Smokey came through the surgery with flying colors. It was also arranged for Dr. Fred Eckland, a chiropractor with a mobile clinic, to come on Friday to adjust Smokey pro bono.

When Halligan notified a number of concerned Culver City animal lovers that Smokey would indeed recover from the surgery and was already spayed and healthy, they decided to show their appreciation to Yarbro, Webb, Halligan, the spcaLA staff, and especially Jones for saving Smokey's life. They have set up a fund at the Marina Veterinary Center www.marinavet.com to help cover the cost of Smokey's surgery.

The cat is expected to make a complete recovery, and despite the fact that her background is unknown, both vets are confident that Smokey will make a pet guardian very happy. For the moment, Smokey is resting comfortably under the care of Jones and her staff - purring and purring.

Anyone who is interested in contributing to Smokey's surgery fund can contact Friends of Culver City Animals at (888) 893-9909 or
info@friendsofculvercityanimals.org for more information.

November 5, 2009
Culver City News

Animal Services Officer and Resident Reunite Lost Dog with Owner

During the last week of October, Culver City resident Sarah Dwyer found a small Dachshund mix, walking down the street by herself. The dog did not have a collar, but Dwyer had a leash and was able to use that to bring the dog to her apartment. She called the Culver City News to place a “Found Dog” ad in the paper and was told to call the Culver City Animal Services Officer (ASO) whenever a pet is found. When ASO Stephanie Yarbro answered the call, she asked, “Is she a Dachshund mix?” Yarbro gave Dwyer the number of a man who had reported his dog, Betty, missing. Dwyer was concerned about  what she had heard about people taking pets to sell them to laboratories, so she asked the man many questions about the dog’s description. After the emailed a picture of Betty, Dwyer was satisfied that the dog belonged to him and invited him to pick up his dog. “After I saw her jumping all over him with excitement, I knew she was his,” explained Dwyer. Dwyer suggested getting Betty a collar and a microchip to help keep her safe in the future.

Anyone who has found or lost a pet should call their local animal control department.

- Culver City (310) 253- 6143
- Santa Monica (310) 458-8594
- West Los Angeles, Westchester & Beverly
   Hills (888) 452-7381

The Front Page Online
November 24, 2009

Declaw Ban Vote in Culver City

Dear Editor:

I was extremely proud of the Culver City City Council last night for voting unanimously to ban declawing of cats. Declawing is a misnomer. It is not just removing the claw of a cat, it is amputating the entire last joint of a cat's toe. It is wholly unnecessary and the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons in the UK calls it "Mutilation."

Declawing is one of the most painful routinely performed surgeries in all of veterinary medicine, and yet the scientific literature reports that 30% of veterinarians are giving cats no peri-operative pain medications whatsoever. Ironically, declawing is used by drug companies to test new medications in their clinical trials because the surgery is so predictably painful.

Because the surgery is unnecessary and so painful, the American Veterinary Medical Association's professional position statement on the surgery is that declawing should be only considered after all humane options to curb unwanted scratching have been exhausted. However, the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association (SCVMA) states in their monthly magazine, the PULSE, that 76% cats are declawed before they are 8 months old. These are kittens and have not had a chance to learn anything! No one would consider removing all of the teeth on a puppy who chews up slippers. The SCVMA also indicates that 95% of declawing of cats is done to protect household furnishings and that 5% of vets are making over $1000/hour declawing cats.

Declawing can be crippling for cats. Declawed cats are at an increased risk for losing their homes because they bite more and they use the litter box less. Anyone who is intolerant of scratching on the couch is certainly going to be intolerant of peeing on the couch. In other words, by declawing the cat, the veterinarian could very well be sending that cat out of the home and to the shelter where it will most likely be put down.

It is not a good idea for veterinarians to recommend declawing for the cats of immuno-compromised people when their infectious disease specialists say do NOT declaw the cat. Declawed cats bite more. They use the liter box less. These are much bigger concerns for these people. By the way, why are veterinarians prescribing for humans anyway? National public health organizations like USPHS and CDC don't recommend declawing for cats owned by people living with HIV/AIDS. In fact, John Duran, the Mayor of West Hollywood who enacted the first declaw ban in all of North America, is living with HIV/AIDS.

In a misguided, yet very sweet, attempt to save humans from cat scratches, Mayor Andy Weissman considered adding an amendment that would allow cats to be declawed to protect the owners and family members of the owners from scratches. This shows that he is a very caring person, but his veterinary sources have not given him the true information. Declawing gives people a false sense of security. People think they have protected themselves from cat-induced injury, when the reality is that they have increased their risk of serious injury by making that cat have only its teeth to protect itself. Cat bites are almost always more severe than cat scratches and often require a trip to the hospital. Fortunately, the Mayor realized that he had been misinformed by the pro-declawing vets and retracted his amendment. I think he realized that he had been fed a line and that, as Councilmember Micheal O'Leary pointed out, people in Europe live with clawed cats and somehow seem to be surviving even though they also have babies, old people, people on blood thinners and people with compromised immune systems.

With so many humane alternatives to declawing like nail trimming, Soft Paws, appropriate scratching posts, and training (yes, cats can be trained), why would we choose the inhumane?

Jennifer Conrad, DVM
Veterinarian and Founder of the Paw Project
www.PawProject.org

Culver City News
December 3, 2009

Smokey the injured kitty says "Thank You Culver City"

On October 22, 2009 included in the weekly Culver City News “Pet Page” was a story about little Smokey, a small, fluffy gray kitty that had been hit by a car and severely injured outside of Sony Pictures Studios. Without the immediate help and intervention of the Culver City Animal Services Officer Stephanie Yarbro and dedicated veterinarians, Smokey would have died or been severely crippled her entire life. And without the generosity of so many caring Culver City residents and nonresidents, Smokey could not be receiving the exceptional medical care that is enabling her to recover and have a bright future.

On behalf of Smokey, we want to thank ASO Stephanie Yarbro and her supervisor Sgt. Mike Webb for immediately responding to a resident’s call that little Smokey had been hit by a car. Officer Yarbro transported Smokey quickly to City of Angels for emergency treatment where staff stablized her injuries. We are also very grateful that Smokey received excellent care at spcaLA from Dr. “Doc” Karen Halligan and staff, followed by surgery, post-operative care and TLC from Dr. Rachel Jones of the Marina Veterinary Center and her staff. Dr. Jones performed the long and delicate surgery on Smokey’s shattered legs for free. However, when it became apparent that Smokey would need weeks of special care to recover at Dr. Jones’ clinic, Culver City residents rallied together to raise $2,000 to help with the costly medical expenses.

We only wish that we could thank everyone in this letter who came to Smokey’s aid. From children who donated $2.00 from their piggy banks and allowances, to retired residents who readily donated from their pensions, to friends and strangers who responded to the article in the “Pet Page”, it quickly became clear that we are a community that cares about each other and is willing to work together in time of need.

There are some donors whose incredible generosity went way beyond our expectations. Smokey would like to offer a special thank you to Richard Schatz, philanthropist and president and owner of Royal Pet Mortuary, Culver City realtor Mike King, her fans at Sony Pictures Studios and John Calley Productions, and in particular Lisa Medwid, as well as Doug Lemon and Theresa Welsch.

In due course Smokey will be looking for a permanent home. If anyone is interested in adopting the sweetest, most playful, healthy little kitty, please contact Friends of Culver City Animals at (888) 893-9909.

Deborah Weinrauch

Culver City Observer
December 10, 2009

Declaw Ban Passes in Culver City

Kudos to the Culver City’s Mayor and City Council for standing up and being counted as a city where humane treatment of animals prevails. Culver City joins the ground swell of cities that have declared that declawing animals is inhumane and unnecessary.

This is a landmark decision that has been made by the great politicians of our local governments including all 14 City Council members of Los Angeles, all five from Beverly Hills, six from Santa Monica. And now, each of the five City Councilmen of Culver City can hold his head high because he has chosen compassion for animals as the direction that the City will take.

Mayor Andy Weissman thought he would allow people with illnesses to declaw their cats, but I believe he realized this would be an exception that would swallow the rule. It doesn’t take much of an imagination to see that some people could walk into a vet’s office and say they needed their poor little cat declawed because, “Aunt Tille is coming in from Peoria next weekend and she is afraid of getting scratched because of her diabetes, or “Roberta, my second cousin from Duluth, has a layover at LAX for six hours. She’s coming over so she doesn’t have to wait in the airport and she’s on blood thinners, so please declaw Fluffy before she gets here.”

As ridiculous as those two scenarios sound, they both would be absolutely allowed by the law if it had been amended as the Mayor had proposed.

Even more ridiculous is that veterinarians even suggest that declawing a cat is necessary to protect human patients. Declawing does nothing but give people a false sense of security. Declawed cats bite more often because they have been robbed of their primary defense and bite wounds are almost always treated by a trip to the hospital.

Public health organizations and infectious disease physicians don’t recommend declawing for the cats of immunocompromised people, and they’re the ones who should be making recommendations for human patients anyway. Veterinarians are not allowed to prescribe or recommend treatments for humans.

I am very grateful that the entire City Council unanimously supported the ban and left the only exception that makes any sense, that a cat can have a toe bone removed (effectively declawing the cat) if the cat has a cancer in that toe, for example. This pathology is readily proven. Any other change or exemption in the ordinance will make the law unenforceable because it would be self-reporting and therefore impossible to control.

Jennifer Conrad

Culver City News
December 10, 2009

Hit-and-Run Kills Family Pet; Police Seek Driver

Hit a pedestrian in your car and flee, and you’ve committed a crime. That’s common knowledge. However, drivers may not be aware the same holds true if the victim has four legs instead of two.

That very issue came to light with a tragic outcome for a Culver City family last week, when their pet Doberman Pinscher was struck in the 4100 block of Madison Avenue. The accident occurred at approximately 6:30p.m. Dec. 2, when the dog, named Tommy, broke free from the grasp of an 8-year old boy while on a leashed walk and ran into the street. Culver City police are now looking for the female driver of a champagne-colored Ford sport-utility vehicle in connection with the hit-and-run.

“Whenever you’re in a vehicle and you have an accident, and you strike a person or property, you need to stop,” said Sgt. Mike Webb of the Culver City Police Department, one of three officers to arrive on the scene soon after the accident. “It would certainly be nice, if you hit an animal, if you would try to take it for assistance.”

While that final step is not required by law, stopping is. According to Section 20002(a) of the California Vehicle Code, “the driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting only in damage to any property, including vehicles, shall immediately stop the vehicle at the nearest location that will not impede traffic or otherwise jeopardize the safety of other motorists.”

The statute goes on to say a person involved in such an accident should also attempt to “locate and notify the owner or person in charge of that property.”

“As cruel as it may sound, an animal is property for purposes of this,” Sgt. Webb said. “Leave a note and call the police, basically. If you don’t do it, you are guilty of a misdemeanor.”

While Tommy survived the collision, veterinarians at City of Angels Veterinary Specialty Center made the decision to euthanize the pet later that night.

Anyone with more information on the accident is asked to contact Webb at (310) 253-6216.

Culver City News
December 31, 2009

Police Officers Give Gift of New Puppy

Dear Editor,

Police officers are often the first to arrive at emergencies and soon become participants as tragedies unfold before them. It is very hard to remain unemotional and professionally detached when these tragedies involve children and their pets. It is especially hard around the holidays.

On Dec. 2, Tommy, an adult Doberman pinscher, was struck by a hit-and-run driver in the 4100 block of Madison Avenue. The accident occurred at about 6:30 p.m. when Tommy broke free from the grasp of his 8-year-old master. The female driver of the champagne-colored Ford SUV never stopped and is still being sought by the Culver City Police Department.

Tommy was gravely injured and was later put to sleep by local veterinarians. This incident was originally reported in the Culver City News on Dec. 10.

Responding officers Sgt. Mike Webb, Sgt. Larry Moroso and Officer Jesse Butler were immediately at the scene, along with a crowd of concerned neighbors. The frightened dog was difficult to handle, and it took the combined efforts of all to get the dog safely secured in the police department’s Animal Services vehicle. Tommy’s family eventually arrived at the veterinarian’s office and made the very difficult decision to put Tommy to sleep.

News of the event quickly spread within the police department. Many of the officers were saddened by the story and could easily empathize with the emotions of the little boy and the decision to put his dog down. Officer Lance Ordin was especially moved and came up with the idea to purchase a Doberman puppy and donate it to the family.

In hopes of providing some comfort for the holidays Sgt. Webb contacted the family and arranged to have the puppy delivered to the family in time for Christmas. While Tommy can never be replaced, the Culver City Police Department hopes that a new puppy might ease some of the family’s grief.

Lt. Dean Williams
Culver City Police Department

Culver City News
December 31, 2009
By Scott Tittrington

CC PD makes season bright for local family

The Kumar family will never forget their beloved Tommy and the memories he helped create.

However, thanks to some big hearts in the Culver City Police Department, the loss of a beloved family pet can now shift from tragedy to hope this holiday season.

Earlier this month, the Kumar's had to say goodbye to Tommy, their Doberman Pinscher, after he was fatally injured in a hit-and-run accident in the 4100 block of Madison Avenue. CCPD officers who responded to the scene were so touched by the story that, with the help of their colleagues, they banded together to buy the family an 8-week-old Doberman puppy as a surprise Christmas gift.

Following a tour of the CCPD station Wednesday, Dec. 23 the officers presented the chocolate-brown puppy - complete with a big red bow and all of the puppy essentials - to the family, eliciting a hearty helping of thank yous, handshakes and even a few tears.

"We were just tragic when Tommy passed away," said Raman Kumar, 15, one of the four children who joined their father, Parshotam, at the gift exchange.

He added that Tommy's death had left a noticeable void.

"Someone's not here. You (used to) get that warm presence when you come home from school. And now we have one."

The idea to give the family a puppy was first broached by Officer Lance Ordin during a department function the evening of Dec. 21. Less than 12 hours later, the plan was put into action. Sgt. Mike Webb - one of the responding officers the night of the accident - contacted Medina's Dobermans in the San Fernando Valley, and the puppy was on its way.

"Most of the time we deal with tragedy and misfortune," Webb said. "This is one of the rare opportunities where we could turn it around a little bit. We saw the opportunity and took it.

"They (the breeders) were more than happy when they heard the story to deliver it from the other end of the San Fernando Valley in rush hour traffic."

Likewise, it was a no-brainer when the family was asked what they planned to name their new addition:

Tommy, of course.

"It's just to honor (him)," said Raman Kumar about their fallen friend. "It's just in memory of him."

top