Connect with us

West

California bill aims to ban no-pet policies, animal fees at rental housing properties

Published

on

California bill aims to ban no-pet policies, animal fees at rental housing properties
  • Proposed legislation in California aims to ease the rental process for pet owners by banning no-pet policies and prohibiting landlords from charging extra fees for pets.
  • Backers of the bill say the lack of pet-friendly housing options leads to pet surrenders and housing struggles for renters.
  • The bill awaits a floor vote in the Assembly before potentially moving to the Senate.

California pet owners struggling to find a rental that accepts their furry, four-legged family members could have an easier time leasing new housing under proposed state legislation that would ban blanket no-pets policies and prohibit landlords from charging additional fees for common companions like cats and dogs.

Backers of the bill, which recently cleared a key committee, say the lack of pet-friendly units is pushing renters to forgo housing or relinquish beloved pets to overcrowded shelters. They say the legislation also would allow more tenants with unapproved pets to come out of the shadows.

Sacramento renter Andrea Amavisca said she and her boyfriend searched for more than a month for a place that would accept their 2-year-old cattle dog mix. Options were few and prospective landlords would not return her calls after learning the couple had a dog.

PET FISH FEE AT MISSOURI APARTMENT COMPLEX SHOCKS POTENTIAL RENTER; ERROR ‘WILL BE CORRECTED SOON’

They finally found a two-bedroom apartment after meeting with the landlord and putting down an extra $500 for the security deposit.

A newly adopted dog is held at Oakland Animal Services on April 4, 2024, in Oakland, California. California pet owners struggling to find a rental that accepts their furry, four-legged family members could have an easier time leasing new housing under proposed state legislation that would ban blanket no-pet policies and prohibit landlords from charging additional fees for pets. (AP Photo/Terry Chea)

Advertisement

“It’s really awful that there are these restrictions you have to take into consideration when making a personal life choice,” she said.

But landlords are pushing back, saying they’re worried over the cost of repairs, liability over potential dog bites and nuisance issues that might drive away other tenants. They also want state lawmakers to allow higher security deposits — which legislators limited to one month’s rent last year — to scrub out possible urine and feces stains in carpets or repair damage to wood floors.

“There are bad people and there are bad dogs, and our job is to screen that and make sure that we’re providing a safe environment for everyone,” said Russell Lowery, executive director of the California Rental Housing Association.

FAMILIES ARE RETURNING THEIR PETS TO ANIMAL SHELTERS DUE TO INFLATION AND RISING RENTS: ‘SO SAD’

The proposal authored by Assemblymember Matt Haney, a San Francisco Democrat and chair of the renters’ caucus, would not require all landlords to accept common household pets, such as cats and dogs.

Advertisement

But landlords would have to provide reasonable justifications, such as public health, for denying a pet. A landlord could not inquire of pets until after approving an applicant, and applicants would have to notify the landlord that they have a pet or plan to get one at least three days prior to signing a lease. Should the landlord deny the pet, the applicant would then decide whether to seek housing elsewhere.

The landlord also could not require additional rent or security deposit for a pet. The bill, if approved, would apply to new leases starting on or after Jan. 1.

Ivan Blackshear already rents to tenants with cats at his triplex in Chico, a small city north of Sacramento. But he says the question of pets and deposits should be left to the property owner and any agreement they reach with their tenants. It should not, he said, be mandated by politicians trying to curry favor with voters.

“Chasing mom and pop landlords like myself — small investors like myself — out of California is not going to solve the high price of rent; it actually is going to make it worse,” said Blackshear, who once had to replace the wood flooring in a rental due to a tenant with a cat.

Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, a Democrat who represents parts of Los Angeles, said he and his fiancée, an attorney, were shut out of renting several places just because of Darius, their well-behaved Great Dane.

Advertisement

“Darius is the sweetest dog,” said Bryan, who is vice chair of the legislative renters’ caucus. “And so it was shocking, and it showed that this simple barrier of having a companion animal could lead directly to housing insecurity and homelessness, if not addressed.”

Animal welfare groups are among those supporting the bill.

Ann Dunn, director of Oakland Animal Services, says the number of people giving up their pets has soared since the city of Oakland’s eviction moratorium ended last summer. In 2022, the shelter averaged nearly 240 dogs relinquished each month; now it is 350 a month.

“We’re seeing a huge spike in people who are saying they are newly homeless,” she said. “Or they’re choosing between being housed or being able to keep their pets.”

Advertisement

The bill is headed to the Assembly for a floor vote. If it passes, it would then go to the Senate for consideration.

Read the full article from Here

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

West

Chilean burglary crew filmed themselves during $3M SoCal jewelry heist, caught wearing loot: DA

Published

on

Chilean burglary crew filmed themselves during M SoCal jewelry heist, caught wearing loot: DA

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

Four Chilean nationals filmed themselves as they smashed through the roof and walls of a Southern California jewelry store during a brazen, multi-million-dollar burglary — even flashing a peace sign at the camera mid-crime, newly released video shows.

The video, released by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office, captures the suspects documenting the May 25, 2025 break-in at 5-Star Jewelry & Watch Repair in Simi Valley. In one clip, a suspect grips a crowbar with a flashlight clenched in his mouth before pausing to throw a peace sign toward the camera.

 Prosecutors said the group ultimately made off with about $3 million worth of jewelry, watches, cash and other valuables, KTLA reported. Prosecutors said the burglary caused losses exceeding $1 million, the threshold for enhanced charges.

“The planning, surveillance, and sophistication involved in this case required the defendants’ removal from society,” District Attorney Erik Nasarenko said. “Ventura County will not tolerate organized burglary crews that treat our communities like targets. If you engage in this kind of conduct, you will face significant consequences.”

Advertisement

The suspects, from left: Manuel David Ibarra, Camilo Antonio Aguilar Lara, Heidy Nickolt Trujillo and Sergio Andres Mejía-Machuca. Prosecutors said the four Chilean nationals filmed themselves during a $3 million burglary at a Simi Valley jewelry store. (Ventura County District Attorney’s Office)

The stolen goods were later taken to a home in Los Angeles County, where the suspects were arrested June 10 — some allegedly still wearing stolen jewelry when they were taken into custody, KTLA reported. The outlet previously spoke with store owner Jonathan Youssef, who said the burglary left his family-owned business devastated.

Authorities said the crew began orchestrating the burglary in mid-May 2025.

On May 16, one defendant allegedly stole rope from a Home Depot to use in the crime. Days later, three suspects drove a white Volvo SUV to the shopping center to conduct surveillance.

ORGANIZED SOUTH AMERICAN CRIME GROUP BURGLARIZES OVER 60 HIGH-END HOUSTON-AREA HOMES TARGETING DESIGNER GOODS

Advertisement

The storefront of 5-Star Jewelry & Watch Repair and neighboring Dr. Conkey’s Candy & Coffee in Simi Valley, Calif., where four Chilean nationals were accused of carrying out a multi-million-dollar burglary. (Ventura County District Attorney’s Office)

Investigators said two defendants observed the interior of the jewelry store through its front window, while the trio later entered the candy and coffee shop to assess surveillance cameras and inspect the shared wall between the businesses. 

One suspect used a cellphone flashlight to examine the wall, another acted as a lookout, and a third mimicked using a spray can — allegedly indicating plans to disable security equipment.

On May 25, the crew returned in the same SUV, which contained a ladder and rope, authorities said.

MASSIVE LUXURY HANDBAG HEIST CAUGHT ON CAMERA AS HEAVILY ARMED POLICE SWARM CALIFORNIA STORE

Advertisement

A masked suspect is seen flashing a peace sign while holding a flashlight during a burglary at 5-Star Jewelry & Watch Repair in Simi Valley, Calif., according to video released by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office. (Ventura County District Attorney’s Office)

One suspect placed the ladder against the candy and coffee shop, cut through the roof and entered the store. A surveillance camera was spray-painted and the store’s safe was opened, with cash stolen, prosecutors said.

The suspects then cut through a shared wall into 5-Star Jewelry, where they broke into another safe and stole jewelry, cash and silver before transporting the stolen property to a residence in Los Angeles County, prosecutors said.

Manuel David Ibarra and Camilo Antonio Aguilar Lara were each sentenced to four years and four months in Ventura County Jail. Heidi Nickolt Trujillo was sentenced to four years.

Sergio Andres Mejía-Machuca is set to be sentenced March 26.

Advertisement

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

All four defendants previously pleaded guilty to felony charges including conspiracy to commit commercial burglary and possession of stolen property. Two of the defendants also admitted to additional burglary and vandalism charges tied to a separate Simi Valley pawn shop break-in.

They also admitted special allegations that the crimes caused more than $1 million in losses and were carried out in a planned, coordinated operation, prosecutors said.

Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Send story tips to stepheny.price@fox.com.

Related Article

Video shows masked thieves using sledgehammer in brazen Lululemon heist before fleeing in U-Haul

Read the full article from Here

Continue Reading

San Francisco, CA

Shocking daylight stabbing in San Francisco’s Chinatown caught on video

Published

on

Shocking daylight stabbing in San Francisco’s Chinatown caught on video


(WARNING: This story contains graphic video)

SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) — Surveillance video obtained by KRON4 captured a shocking daylight stabbing that occurred in San Francisco’s Chinatown district on Thursday afternoon.

Advertisement

In the video, which was captured at the corner of Stockton and Sacramento streets, a man wearing a hooded sweatshirt is seen slowly walking down the sidewalk.

As the man approaches the corner, he suddenly pulls a knife out and with his right hand, thrusts the knife into the back of a man who appears to have been waiting for the crosswalk. The shocking attack appears to have been entirely unprovoked.

The attacker then walks briskly away from the scene, crossing the street, and disappearing from the frame.

The victim can be seen turning around, clutching their lower back and staggering around for a moment before collapsing to the sidewalk. He appears to attempt to get up again before eventually laying down on his stomach.

Several bystanders walk by, but none of them appear to render aid, apart from a man who was standing nearby and appears to pull out his phone to call for help.

Advertisement

The San Francisco Police Department confirmed that officers responded to a stabbing at 1:13 p.m. Thursday at Stockton and Sacramento. Officers arrived at the scene where the victim was suffering from a stab wound.

Paramedics arrived and transported the victim to the hospital to be treated for life-threatening injuries.

During a subsequent investigation, police located a suspect matching the description provided by witnesses near the 600 block of Powell Street. He was detained without incident and arrested.

SFPD has not released the suspect’s name or any pending charges. No information was given on possible motive for the attack.

The stabbing occurred the same day members of Mayor Daniel Lurie’s security detail were involved in an altercation with two people in the Tenderloin district and two days before SF’s Lunar New Year Parade is set to take place in Chinatown.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

Denver, CO

Broncos Bring Back Two Key Free Agents for 2026

Published

on

Broncos Bring Back Two Key Free Agents for 2026


During the NFL Combine, we learned the Denver Broncos plan to tender exclusive rights free- agent running back Tyler Badie. Fast forward to Friday, and the Broncos are taking care of business with two other exclusive rights free agents.

Advertisement

9NEWS‘ Mike Klis broke the news that Denver will tender safety Devon Key and rush linebacker Dondrea Tillman. The ERFA tender is priced at $1.075 million for 2026.

Advertisement

“Per source, [the] Broncos have agreements to bring back exclusive rights free agent safety/All-Pro special teamer Devon Key and fellow ERFA OLB Dondrea Tillman, who had 4.0 sacks and 2 INTs (with impressive returns) last year,” Klis posted on X.

Most ERFA decisions are a matter of course, but not always. In the case of Key and Tillman, it’s a no-brainer.

Advertisement

Key’s Resume

Key set a new franchise record last season with 26 special-teams tackles, leading the league and garnering first-team All-Pro honors. It was the first All-Pro recognition of his young career. He became the first player in Broncos history to make the A.P. All-Pro Team as a special teamer.

Advertisement

Key also forced a fumble and appeared in all 17 regular-season games. Key’s new franchise record eclipsed Keith Burns’ long-held mark of 24 special-teams tackles (2000, 03). Key was snubbed in the Pro Bowl vote, but the A.P. helped offset that.

With P.J. Locke’s pending departure into unrestricted free agency, the Broncos could view Key as the natural safety to step into the No. 3 role behind Talanoa Hufanga and Brandon Jones. Key is a very talented player, and he’s developed nicely since arriving on Denver’s practice squad back in 2022.

Advertisement

Tillman’s Path to Denver

Nov 6, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Broncos linebacker Dondrea Tillman (92) runs with the ball after an interception against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half at Empower Field at Mile High. | Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Tillman arrived in Denver as a college free agent in 2024, technically, even though he’d been playing professional ball in the UFL. As a ‘rookie,’ he notched five sacks as a backup.

Last season, Tillman co-led the team with two interceptions, making a name for himself as a runner after the catch, picking up 59 return yards, including a long of 36. He finished his second NFL season with 41 tackles (13) solo, four sacks, three tackles for a loss, and three passes defensed.

Advertisement

Not bad for the No. 4 rush linebacker on the depth chart. Tillman and Jonah Elliss have served as the primary backups to Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper, and they’ve done well to ensure that when the starters leave the field, the pass-rushing show goes on.

Advertisement

Tillman is only 27 years old and he has a bright NFL future ahead of him. After this season, he’ll be a restricted free agent. If he continues on his current trajectory, the Broncos might opt to re-sign him instead of tendering him, but that decision won’t be made for another year.

Tillman might become to expensive to keep, if he keeps it up.

Advertisement

About Jordan Jackson

Besides Badie, whom, again, the Broncos reportedly plan on tendering, defensive lineman Jordan Jackson is also an ERFA. Considering the price tag, Jordan might be the relatively rare exception and go un-tendered.

Advertisement

Sign up for our free Denver Broncos On SI newsletter, and get breaking Broncos news delivered to your inbox daily!



Source link

Continue Reading
Advertisement

Trending