Challenge Mendocino County, CA Contract with Wildlife Services
Animal Legal Defense Fund v Mendocino County
The Animal Legal Defense Fund sued Mendocino County, California, for violating the California Environmental Quality Act by renewing a contract with the federal wildlife-killing program known as Wildlife Services.
Next Step
Case Closed
Performing Legally Required Environmental Impact Report
In 2014, Mendocino County, California, entered into a $144,000 contract with Wildlife Services, a controversial federal program whose main purpose is to kill animals. The Animal Legal Defense Fund and a coalition of environmental and animal protection groups filed suit in the Superior Court of the State of California against the county, claiming Wildlife Services contract violated the California Environmental Quality Act. Specifically, Mendocino County failed to review environmental impacts prior to contracting with Wildlife Services to kill coyotes, bears, bobcats, foxes, and other animals.
As a result of our lawsuit, Mendocino County agreed to suspend the contract with Wildlife Services and to fully evaluate non-lethal predator control alternatives submitted by the coalition. When the county later reinstated its contract with Wildlife Services, we sued again.
Another settlement followed in 2016, in which Mendocino County agreed to immediately suspend its contract with Wildlife Services pending preparation of a full Environmental Impact Report under the California Environmental Quality Act.
Recent News
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A Big Win in Our Battle Against Wildlife Services’ Tax-Funded Killing
Superior Court Judge Lydia Villarreal found in favor of a coalition of wildlife protection groups, including the Animal Legal Defense Fund, in its challenge to Monterey County, California’s contract renewal with the USDA.August 21, 2017 Press Release -
Animal Protection, Conservation Organizations Sue Mendocino County in Response to Wildlife Services Contract Renewal
County violated California Environmental Quality ActJuly 27, 2015 Press Release -
Humboldt and Mendocino Counties Urged to Void Contract with Secretive, Inhumane Wildlife Services
Indiscriminate Killing, Environmental Destruction and Legal Violations Spark ControversyJune 30, 2014 Press Release
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End Wildlife Services’ War on Wildlife
Millions of native wild animals, including coyotes, mountain lions, and bears, are targeted and killed by Wildlife Services. Tell Wildlife Services to stop using your tax dollars to slaughter animals by signing our petition.