INSIDE SCOOP
OPINION
ENVIRONMENT
BRINGING ELECTRONICS TO SCHOOL PAGE 3 NOT SUPPORTING SMPD IS CRAPPY PAGE 4 IN THE WASH PAGE 8 Visit us online at smdp.com
MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2007
Volume 6 Issue 250
Santa Monica Daily Press
DREW’S NEW JOB SEE PAGE 15
Since 2001: A news odyssey
THE PREDICTING THE FUTURE ISSUE
There’s no monkey business Promenade pets pass muster with animal control officers BY KEVIN HERRERA I Daily Press Staff Writer THIRD STREET PROMENADE Animal control officers interviewed those who publicly display animals here and found no evidence of abuse or neglect, but suggested the City Council may want to look at passing a law similar to that in Los Angeles requiring street performers and pet adoption agencies to obtain and maintain a permit and pay an annual fee of $150. It was also suggested that the council consider mandating yearly inspections of caregivers’ homes or businesses to ensure that animals used in performances or who are up for adoption are being properly taken care off. Currently City Hall does not specifically regulate animal
acts or exhibitions, however, those who wish to perform on the promenade must obtain a permit and must follow state and local laws concerning the proper care and treatment of animals. The municipal code requires that animals in public be in the custody and control of their owner at all times. The suggestions were made in an information item that was sent to the council earlier this month in response to a request from students at Crossroads School that Santa Monica follow Los Angeles’ lead. During a June 19 Council meeting, several students said they were horrified and heartbroken by the sight of the “Psychic Cats” pulling fortunes from a bowl and the capuchin monkey wearing a hat and vest grabbing dollar
bills from people passing by. Students said the cats must be drugged because no feline can sit still for as long as the performing cats. As for the monkey, they raised concerns about public health, saying the city could be held liable if the monkey were to attack someone. The students said not only is the use of animals in performances a public safety issue, but also sends the wrong message to children that animals are not living creatures, but rather “play toys that can be subjected to human whim.” They also singled out Patricia Stake, who runs Lost Angels, which tries to find homes for cats. “There aren’t a lot of people who exhibit animals in Santa Monica and those who have, we’ve found essentially no cause to be concerned about the welfare of the animals,” said SEE PERFORMERS PAGE 13
COMMUNITY PROFILES
BEING WILLIAM
Local teacher learns the finer points of the legendary London Bard STORY BY MELODY HANATANI PAGE 10 Photo courtesy Chon Lee
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