It’s Time to Rein In ‘Humane’ Groups : New state law limiting powers of some gun-toting organizations is a welcome relief

In 1915, the San Fernando Valley wanted to be annexed by the city of Los Angeles. The North Hills area, still filled with rabbit and chicken farms, was known as Mission Acres. That was also the year in which a local police department decided that it was time to shift from wheelbarrows to “motorized vehicles” to haul drunks to jail.

And in 1915, California cities and counties had few, if any, folks on the payroll who were trained or available for investigating complaints of animal abuse, poisoning and theft. So it might have made sense, then, to have a state law allowing local humane societies a free rein in providing deputies to fill this void.

We are certain, however, that no one had this present-day situation in mind: a proliferation of non-governmental peace officers, sometimes armed with assault weapons, who wear uniforms and badges similar to the California Highway Patrol, who have little or no training, and no governmental or agency supervision. In effect, some of these units have become havens for any oddball wishing to carry a badge and a gun.

We are most assuredly not referring to the kind of professional and much-needed efforts put forth by the likes of the Los Angeles Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, or other humane groups, such as those in Glendale, who were sensible enough to forbid their officers to carry guns unless needed to put an animal out of its misery.

No, we’re referring to the kind of extremists--pointed out in a series by Times reporter Josh Meyer--who would confiscate a seeing-eye dog from a blind person. We’re talking about a Van Nuys group that was the subject of state and federal investigations based on reports that it had stockpiled as much as $100,000 worth of assault weapons.

We’re talking about the kind of irresponsibility that caused one such group to encourage equestrians to drive horse trailers to the 1993 Malibu / Calabasas fire line. At the time, firefighters were trying to evacuate residents threatened by flames.

Now, Gov. Pete Wilson has signed a law that will drastically limit the powers of such extremist groups, as well as increase the training requirements of legitimately formed state humane officer groups, beginning next year. Any of those carrying guns, or hoping to, will also have to undergo the same psychological screening and training required of all California law enforcement officers. Also, liability insurance policies will be required. For us, this welcome law can’t take effect soon enough.