By Elisabeeth Torres, Interactions with wild animals are
inevitable and if the SMPD truly does follow through with these
polices, it could provide a positive example for other cities to
follow as well. A month after a mountain lion was killed by
police in Santa Monica, CA, the Santa Monica Police Department
(SMPD) sat down with local experts to develop new policies for
similar sitautions. The focus group of experts included City
Hall Representatives, the California Department of Fish and
Game, the National Park Service, the Society for the Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA), In Defense of
Animals (IDA), and local veterinarians. The group discussed the
importance of public safety, risks involved with wild animal
capture, and formulated a plan to prevent the killing of
wildlife in emergency situations. Jack Carone, communications
director for IDA, was hopeful the ideas discussed would be
carried out, despite a few technicalities. “The law is that the
Department of Fish and Game is the only on