Riverside County Faces Legal Battle Over Animal Shelter Policies & Hayden Act

The first hearing in the lawsuit against Riverside County over its animal shelter policies took place yesterday at the Riverside County Courthouse in Palm Springs, drawing a strong turnout from local animal advocates.

The lawsuit, filed in August 2023 by the Walter Clark Legal Group, alleges that county CEO Jeff Van Wagenen misused taxpayer funds by hiring former animal services director Aaron Geddes and shelter consultant Kristen Haasen. Additionally, the suit claims the county is violating the Hayden Act, a 1998 law designed to reduce euthanasia rates and require shelters to treat injured animals.

Despite a May 2023 statement from Riverside County Animal Services affirming compliance with the Hayden Act, county attorney Christopher Lockwood argued via Zoom that the act is an "unfunded mandate" and therefore not enforceable.

Dan Bolton, lead attorney for Walter Clark Legal Group, countered that animal welfare protections existed before the Hayden Act, making the county’s position legally invalid.

"If there was already a statute before the Hayden Act that required these protections, then it's still enforceable," Bolton explained.

The hearing comes just weeks after Riverside County Supervisor Manuel Perez stated at a Coachella Valley Animal Commission meeting that he wants to make Riverside County a no-kill county. However, activists argue that fighting this lawsuit contradicts that commitment.

Both sides must file their next legal brief by March 21 at 8:30 AM. The judge will then determine if the case moves forward to trial.

For more inspiring stories, explore NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.