Mayor Bass’s slew of budget cuts—which do not address exorbitant salaries of City Council members (two-hundred thousand-plus dollars yearly) or herself (three-hundred and eleven thousand dollars yearly)--was to have included closing three animal shelters and 62 employees. This would have meant “more dogs on the street, more innocent lives lost, and inhumane conditions at the remaining shelters,” protest organizers said.
On April 28, an estimated 400 animal advocates crowded in front of City Hall, occupying both sides of Main Street, many accompanied by small dogs. Signs included “cuts cost lives,” “stop m/Bass murder,” and “stop the kill—the system is broken.”
But by the end of the day, Bass announced that there had been some “confusion”--she was not, in fact, planning to cut animal shelters after all. Pet Pardon (an app that facilitates animal rescue and adoption) stated, “While we’re relieved to hear this reversal, we must be honest: this clarification only came after immense pressure from advocates, rescue partners, and volunteers who spoke out.”
Meanwhile, Bass’s agenda still includes cuts to the Department of Transportation (400 jobs at stake) and the Police Department (403 civilian jobs endangered), 1,600 jobs altogether.
Story and photos: Protest Against Bass’s Cuts to Animal Shelters; Bass Does a Quick, Tr*mp-like Reversal by Supporter
Protest Against Bass’s Cuts to Animal Shelters; Bass Does a Quick, Tr*mp-like Reversal