California Gov. Jerry Brown vetoed a bill on Friday that would have mandated the microchipping of cats and dogs in the state. The bill, S.B. 702, would have prohibited “any public animal control agency or shelter, society for the prevention of cruelty to animals shelter, humane society shelter, or rescue group from releasing to an owner seeking to reclaim his or her dog or cat, or selling or giving away to a new owner, a dog or cat that has not been microchipped,” according to the legislative counsel’s digest. In his veto message, Brown said, “Under current law, local agencies and shelters can – and should – require animals to be microchipped before being released. There is no need for state law to mandate the procedure, which would then require the state to pay for it.” The bill was introduced in February by Sen. Ted Lieu (D-Torrance). It passed by a margin of 32-6 in the Senate in May, and 50-23 in the Assembly in August. The governor’s veto can be overturned by a two-thirds vote in both houses. <Home>
