Warning on Puppy Purchases: Let the Buyer Beware of Dog

Assemblyman Sam Farr (D-Carmel), who is pushing legislation to crack down on out-of-state puppy mills, says purchasers of pet store puppies should make sure the pooches were born and bred in California--or face the possible consequences.

Farr cites a new state study that shows more than half of out-of-state puppies were incubating a disease or sick at the time of purchase. That’s more than three times the rate of illness among California puppies, the study said. It also reports new puppy owners spent an average of $103.56 treating sick pet store puppies.

“The message is clear,” Farr said. “Make sure you know where a puppy came from when you go to buy one.” ASSEMBLY Committee Action

Asian-Americans: The Education Committee approved a bill (AB 2636) by Assembly Speaker Willie Brown (D-San Francisco) calling for a state study of the admission, enrollment and graduation rates of Asian-Americans in the higher educational system. A 13-6 vote sent the bill to the Ways and Means Committee.

Bill Introductions

Drugs: HR 46 by Assemblyman Norm Waters (D-Plymouth) would designate May 6-12 as “Just Say No to Drugs Week.” SENATE Floor Action

Graffiti: Passed and sent to the Assembly on a 34-1 vote a bill (SB 1977) by Sen. Quentin Kopp (I-San Francisco) to allow the courts to suspend or delay for one year the driver’s license of people over 13 years of age who are convicted of defacing property with paint or other liquid.

Drugs: Passed and sent to the Assembly on a 36-0 vote a bill (SB 1786) by Sen. Daniel Boatwright (D-Concord) to create 1,000-foot “drug-free zones” around all California schools and public parks. Law enforcement officers could confiscate automobiles of anyone caught with narcotics within those zones.

Confirm: Voted 26 to 1 to confirm the gubernatorial appointments of Meredith Khachigian of San Clemente and former Republican Assemblyman William Bagley of San Rafael to the Board of Regents of the University of California.

Committee Action

Water: The Agriculture and Water Committee approved a bill (SB 2334) by Sen. Lucy Killea (D-San Diego) to set standards for home water-purifying devices to reduce the amount of water wasted through the treatment process. An 8-0 vote sent the bill to the floor.

New Chairmen: The Rules Committee appointed Sen. Lucy Killea to head the Committee on Bonded Indebtedness; Sen. Art Torres (D-Los Angeles) to chair the Select Committee on the Pacific Rim; and Sen. Wadie Deddeh (D-Bonita) to head the Select Committee on Tourism and Aviation.

Bill Introductions

Earthquake Insurance: SB 2902 by Sen. Frank Hill (R-Whittier) would establish a mandatory homeowners’ earthquake insurance program in 40 of the state’s 58 counties, including the entire Southern California region. The quake protection plan is backed by Gov. George Deukmejian. Capital Fact

There were at least three deaths and 2,118 reported cases of illness with at least a possible relationship to pesticide use in 1988, according to the state Department of Agriculture.