More cats, but fewer dogs, entered shelter last year

The Laguna Beach Animal Shelter saw a 115% increase in the number of cats — 41 — brought to the facility in 2013 compared with 2012, statistics show.

Eighteen cats were either claimed by their owners or adopted.

The number of dogs entering the shelter dropped 11% last year, to 161, and 141 were either claimed or adopted.

Reports of dog bites rose by 6%, to 53, last year compared with 50 in 2012. Animal services received 115 calls for service for sea lions, a 422% increase over the 15 reports in 2012.

Hundreds of malnourished and dehydrated sea lions washed up on county beaches last year.

--Bryce Alderton