Mandatory Spay/Neuter bill

[applesmom]

Im not sure how practical, I understand the fines are a scare tactic, but that will only work on the honest ethical people.

The BYB and mills won't care. Also even if found and closed and fined, they wont have the funds to pay it.

My concern also is that in this article is a quote of having 25 dogs, because she wants her breed to remain intact. I am sorry I have bred very good dogs for many years, before doing rescue, if you have 25 intact dogs you are a mill. That is my opinion, and I will stick by it. Not all 25 can be such amazing reps of the breed that they need to be left intact.

I also think that without being able to have access to vet records there is no way to verify if the animals are intact. There are serious issues with that on many levels. Also unless you came to my house when one bitch is in heat you cannot prove she ISNT spayed. Dogs can be visually checked.

Again I am still poring over it but those are a few concerns, I think if it was really looked at and some issues addressed, it would be an amazing thing, and that other states and counties should follow.

Kym

Darn! You beat me to it and said it better than I could have Kym.

We don't need more laws that can't or won't be enforced. What we do need is consistent enforcement of the existing laws and education, education and more education.

"If you have 25 intact dogs you are a mill." Absolutely!

[DrKym]

Thanks Carole!
I figured you were busy yesterday or you would have posted the same .

The issue isn't about the fines, those are in place in many areas, and are toothless.

The fact is when you get down to it, there is not the manpower needed to enforce a law of this sweeping magnitude. Laws are for the honest, as the dishonest will find a way around them.

It is an issue that will only be fixed with education, determination and the ability of people willing to get involved. If you see 25 dogs in a yard and hear pups all the time make a call. Be willing to get involved, donate to TNR programs even if its only your time or a 10.00 bill.

Transport animals when possible, be willing to actively educate and host seminars, if there aren't any then create them. Knock on vets doors and ask for them to donate time for low cost clinics, for vaccinations and neuterings, don't let one No discourage you from asking others.

If these kinds of grass root measures were taken up, in earnest and with commitment, then we could change a lot, and help shut down many BYBs.

Just my thoughts

Kym

[mike001]

I agree with this bill wholeheartedly. The shelters are brimming with unwanted animals as it is. This could be the beginning of the end to all these poor dogs being euthanized. As for exempting purebreds, I don't approve unless they have been thoroughly tested and proven to be a notable breeding dog. There are just as many purebreds in shelters that have been put there by BYB. I am hoping that this would be the start of a great saving factor for al the street dogs out there.

[CathyBogart]

Even if only law-abiding people abide by this, and even if it's only sporadically enforced, it's SOMETHING. It WILL put a dent in the overpopulation problem, even if it's a small one at first.

[DrKym]

Even if only law-abiding people abide by this, and even if it's only sporadically enforced, it's SOMETHING. It WILL put a dent in the overpopulation problem, even if it's a small one at first.

I agree Cathy, but we also need to supplement it. I fear it doesn't have enough teeth to make it truly viable, and I fear that like many laws of this type , it will be a year or so of diligence, and that back to the same old same old, due to burnout, and just not enough manpower to enforce it

It IS a start though

[Giselle]

Indeed, this will become a toothless law, just as licensing has. Look at it. Nobody gets in trouble for an unlicensed animal (unless, of course, you have a neighbor with a vendetta). Police are far too busy with crime control. Ergo, nobody even cares about licensing anymore. I really think this bill is just another version of licensing. The solution is not to create alternate options and hope that one that "works". The solution is to actually *enforce* existing laws, and, if deemed necessary, tweak them a bit.

I'm not sure if every veterinarian in CA does this (or if it's the law), but my vet notifies the county if your cat/dog is not licensed. The county sends you a license application form, and you either return it with a check or pay a hefty fine a few days later. If this isn't the law, they better make sure it is. Secondly, I believe they should have a "rebate" of sorts. If your animal is not altered, you pay the fees for an intact pet, but if you can provide proof of spay/neutering to your current veterinarian, you are given a "rebate". For example, I think the fee for an altered pet is $40. An unaltered pet is around $100. If you speuter that pet, you receive $60 back. The license for altered pets should be permanent (a one time fee) whereas the fee for intact pets needs yearly renewal. There should be appropriate exemptions, of course, for pets with health problems. And I don't know the regulations for kennel license, but THAT is what we should focus on. We should not punish the entire population for a couple unscrupulous puppy millers.

[caseysmom]

Giselle...I have never had a vet ask me if my dogs are licensed...of course they are but I have never been asked.

I have a friend that moved into a new subdivision and animal control went door to door to make sure the animals were licensed.