The message:
Police attack dogs have disfigured thousands of Californians across the state, mauling unarmed people, children, and people in mental health crises. These violent encounters disproportionately target Black and Brown Californians, often during incidents involving no serious offense.
For example, in Bakersfield:
- 89% of dog bites resulting in severe injuries were against Black or Brown residents.
- A federal DOJ investigation concluded that Bakersfield PD used police dogs "primarily" on people who were intoxicated or mentally ill.
- An alarming 97% of attack dog deployments were not to "defend another or self."
Last year, the Legislature rightly rejected AB 3241, which would have failed to reform these violent practices. But instead of addressing those concerns, the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) quietly adopted the same flawed language, and now AB 400 seeks to make those exact policies state law, without public input or real oversight.
AB 400 does not solve the problem. It would lock the abusive practices in place.
Tell your state senator to vote NO on AB 400 and demand real reform, not rubber-stamped policies written by police lobbyists.
