Canine Crackdown: Follow LaBonge's Lead
The search for unlicensed dogs begins
Getty Images/Scott Barbour
Thieves struck at the Helen Woodward Animal Shelter for the second time in as many months, police said.
Councilman Tom LaBonge didn't waste any time.
After the council passed a motion designed to help crack down on dog owners who have unlicensed pets, LaBonge registered his dog Wednesday, he told KNX 1070 Newsradio. Click here if you need to do the same.
In an effort to reduce its budget deficit, the city plans to use a database that lists households with dogs. The Department of Water and Power created the list for meter readers. It allows them to take precautions when visiting homes at which dogs reside.
City Council President Eric Garcetti suggested using the list to track down unlicensed dogs, which would increase revenue from license fees. The city requires that all dogs -- and horses -- be licensed by the Department of Animal Services.
LaBonge expressed reservations about the plan. He favored going to the city's dog parks and asking owners there whether their pets were licensed.
LaBonge said he did not like the idea of knocking on people's doors to force them to get a license for their pets, deeming it "too aggressive." He also raised privacy concerns.
The City Council voted Tuesday to have two departments share information in order to track down people who haven't licensed their pets. The council ordered the departments to coordinate with the DWP to find the unlicensed pooches.
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