This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.

Valid California address required to submit.

California's endangered and threatened wildlife are at risk.

Assemblymember Heather Hadwick has introduced AB 1722, a bill that would weaken protections for animals safeguarded under the California Endangered Species Act by creating a new legal defense for killing or otherwise “taking” protected wildlife when a person claims it was necessary to prevent immediate bodily harm. Although the bill was amended from earlier “good faith belief” language, it still creates a dangerous new exemption that could undermine protections for vulnerable species. Now is the time to stop this harmful legislation from moving forward.

AB 1722 would shield individuals from civil, administrative, or criminal penalties after killing protected wildlife if they claim the action was necessary to protect a human from immediate bodily harm. Committee analysis noted that existing self-defense protections already exist under current law and that no actual examples were identified demonstrating that this legislation is needed. Wildlife advocates also warn that the bill could place wolves, bears, mountain lions, and other protected animals at greater risk. Tell your California State Assemblymember to oppose AB 1722!

California's endangered species protections were created to stop vulnerable wildlife from disappearing forever. AB 1722 threatens to undermine those protections by giving people a new pathway to escape accountability after killing protected animals — placing already struggling species at even greater risk.

Real emergency situations involving wildlife are already addressed under existing legal protections. Instead of creating new loopholes that would endanger wildlife, California should continue prioritizing coexistence strategies, conservation, and prevention efforts that protect both people and animals.

California has long been a leader in wildlife protection. AB 1722 would move the state in the wrong direction by stripping away critical protections from endangered and threatened animals already facing mounting threats to their survival.

California's endangered animals need your voice now — please tell your Assemblymember to oppose AB 1722.

Letter to Decision Maker(s) for reference:

Decision makers: California Assembly

Subject: Oppose AB 1722 to Protect California’s Wildlife

I am writing to urge you to oppose AB 1722.

This bill would weaken critical protections for California’s endangered and threatened wildlife by creating a new legal defense for individuals who kill or otherwise “take” protected animals if they claim it was necessary to prevent immediate bodily harm.

Existing California law already includes self-defense protections for genuine emergency situations. AB 1722, therefore, appears unnecessary and creates serious concerns for the long-term protection of species that are already struggling to survive.

California’s endangered species laws exist to prevent irreversible loss of wildlife. Wolves, bears, mountain lions, and other protected species deserve strong, science-based safeguards, not expanded legal pathways that could reduce accountability after they are harmed.

For these reasons, I respectfully ask you to vote NO on AB 1722 and stand with California’s endangered and threatened wildlife.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Signed

This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.