UPDATE (6/25/04): Schwarzenegger has now announced that he "made a mistake" (oops!) in calling for the changes described below for stray pet hold periods at shelters, and is no longer seeking such changes. Perhaps the massive public outcry helped him see the error of his ways. One thing you can sure say for Arnold, he's almost as skilled at doing 180-degree policy shifts as George W. Bush.

Greetings. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is continuing his never-ending quest to save money while making sure that his rich buddies don't pay an extra penny in taxes that might crimp their lifestyles.

His latest brainstorm -- kill your stray pets. Yep, the Guv wants to repeal a law that requires shelters in California to hold strays for six days -- less than one week -- before killing them.

Arnold's plan? Terminate lost cats and dogs after only three days, and kill most other small stray animals immediately.

The current six-day hold period is so short that many pet owners can't find their pets in time. Three days (or zero days in some cases) would guarantee more heartbreak for pet owners.

Yes, people should be more responsible with their pets. Yes, dogs should be tagged and pets should be spayed or neutered.

But for Arnold to try saving money on the backs of folks who have lost their pets appears to provide true insight into his personality and values, insight that many onlookers may have missed up to now.

Hey Arnold: Tell your well-heeled friends to pay a few more dollars a year, and leave our pets alone!

--Lauren--