WASHINGTON (Feb. 4, 2009)—The Humane Society Legislative Fund today announced that it has endorsed Paul Koretz for the 5th District race to serve on the Los Angeles City Council.

"Paul Koretz has been a leading champion of animal protection during all his years of public service," said Michael Markarian, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. "We urge Angelenos in the 5th District who care about the humane treatment of animals to elect Paul Koretz to the city council."

As a member of the California state Assembly, Koretz authored and led the fight on important animal welfare policy issues, such as banning the use of radio-collared dogs for the trophy hunting of bears, and requiring pet stores to provide information regarding spaying and neutering prior to the sale of pets. He also passed a West Hollywood ordinance preventing seniors and the disabled from being evicted for having small animals in their units, and worked to have the city declare itself an "animal cruelty-free zone." He was an early supporter of Proposition 2, which passed last year on the statewide ballot and will phase out the inhumane confinement of animals on industrial factory farms.

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a national organization that has been active primarily in federal elections. This is the first time the group has issued an endorsement in any race for city council or local office in the United States.

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Media contact: Heather Sullivan: 301-548-7778, hsullivan@hslf.org

The Humane Society Legislative Fund is a social welfare organization incorporated under section 501(c)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code and formed in 2004 as a separate lobbying affiliate of The Humane Society of the United States. The HSLF works to pass animal protection laws at the state and federal level, to educate the public about animal protection issues, and to support humane candidates for office. On the web at www.hslf.org.

Paid for by Humane Society Legislative Fund and not authorized by any candidate or candidate’s committee. HSLF, 519 C Street, NE, Washington, DC 20002.