The plaintiffs say the "shelter has a duty to help, not harm, homeless dogs and cats."
The Animal Legal Defense Fund along with three people from Stockton filed the lawsuit against the City of Stockton.
The suit is not asking for money, only that the animal shelter follow the law.
The shelter is required to hold strays for at least 6 days before euthanization.
But Animal Legal Defense Fund Attorney Jenni James says the shelter's records show a different story over a one year period.
"Early euthansias are happening, 1,500 animals were euthanized before the expiration of the Stockton shelter's minimum holding period," says James.
James says 80 percent of the animals are behind locked doors where the public never sees them.
"Only about 20 percent of the animals are truly being given a meaningful chance of adoption," says James.
The City of Stockton is not commenting on the lawsuit.
September 18, 2018Amazon’s newest center is over 1 million square feet in south Stockton near the airport. Officials say the two centers will hire around 2,000 workers.
August 23, 2018Local elected officials see a potential Cal State campus as the climax of Stockton’s redemption story — a chance to boost local businesses and create a college-going culture among the city’s youth.
August 21, 2018Most departments that occupy the building will move into the Waterfront Towers in Downtown Stockton within a couple of years as the new city hall.
August 10, 2018San Joaquin Regional Transit is the winner of this year’s Outstanding Public Transportation System Achievement Award.
July 2, 2018San Joaquin is one of the few counties of its size in California that doesn’t have a helicopter. But new state funding means Stockton Police could have one before the end of the year.
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