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LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Purview over animal welfare issues on Los Angeles City Council committees is shifting to the newly named Neighborhoods and Community Enrichment committee, a representative for Council President Paul Krekorian said Tuesday.
Krekorian had adjusted the names of some committees ahead of the new council session this year, including changing the Personnel, Audits, and Animal Welfare committee to the Personnel, Audits, and Hiring committee.
That committee had previously overseen complaints regarding understaffing and other issues at the city's Animal Services department that led to reports last year of overcrowding and dogs not being walked on a regular basis.
The Neighborhoods and Community Enrichment committee, chaired by Councilwoman Eunisses Hernandez, was formerly the Arts, Parks, Health, Education and Neighborhoods committee. Oversight of animal welfare, along with the Los Angeles Zoo, animal shelters and recreation and parks, will now fall under the Neighborhoods and Community Enrichment committee.
The Personnel, Audits and Hiring committee, chaired by Councilman Tim McOsker, added a focus on hiring because it is an "urgent matter ... with so many departments understaffed," according to Hugh Esten, a representative for Krekorian.