[ Post a Response | World Bulldoggge Alliance ]
Posted by WBA on September 23, 2009, 9:19 am
205.188.116.11
Wednesday, September 23, 2009]
A mandatory spay/neuter and breeding restrictions ordinance is under
consideration by the New Orleans City Council. The ordinance, which was
introduced by Councilwoman Cynthia Hedge-Morrell, will require all dogs
to be sterilized by six months of age or force their owners to purchase
a costly breeder permit. It is likely that the ordinance will be
considered at the city council's upcoming meeting on Thursday, October
1st. The American Kennel Club, which opposes the ordinance, believes
that this proposal is unreasonable, difficult and costly to enforce,
potentially unconstitutional, and will do nothing to protect the health
and welfare of dogs. It is imperative that all concerned responsible
dog owners and breeders in New Orleans contact the members of the New
Orleans City Council and respectfully yet strongly urge them to vote
down this proposal.
The American Kennel Club opposes mandatory spay/neuter laws. Instead, we
support reasonable and enforceable laws that protect the welfare and
health of purebred dogs and do not restrict the rights of breeders and
owners who take their responsibilities seriously. Additionally, we
strongly support and actively promote a wide range of programs to
educate the public about responsible breeding practices and the
responsibilities of dog ownership.
If enacted, the new ordinance will impose many new unreasonable
requirements on responsible dog owners in New Orleans, which include:
* Requiring all dogs six months of age or older (with few
exceptions) to be spayed or neutered or force owners to purchase costly
$50 breeder permits to keep any dog intact. Mandatory spay/neuter
ordinances have not been effective anywhere they have been adopted. In
fact, in many cases the euthanization rates in surrounding areas have
declines faster than in those areas with mandatory spay/neuter policies.
Additionally, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals (ASPCA) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)
have both issued policy statements in the past year stating that
mandatory spay/neuter policies are not effective. Enforcement of
existing law, including leash laws, is a better alternative.
* Limiting female dogs from whelping more than one litter per
year, or whelping a litter if the female is younger than 18-months of
age. The AKC opposes any arbitrary limitation on the responsible
breeding of purebred dogs, and believes health and reproduction
decisions are best made by owners in consultation with their dogs'
veterinarian.
* Permitting the Louisiana SPCA, which will be responsible for
enforcement of this ordinance, to determine whether or not an applicant
for a breeder license has "space determined to be suitable...in which to
breed dogs and raise puppies." As there are no specific guidelines
included in the ordinance, it is not clear what a breeder would need to
do to be approved. This will allow for subjective and arbitrary
decisions that may cost responsible breeders thousands of dollars to
come into compliance, or may prohibit them from breeding at all.
* Imposing significant fines for those who are found to be in
violation of the ordinance, with the income from the fines to be used to
further finance the LaSPCA's animal control efforts. The AKC contends
that the cost of enforcement of the ordinance will be far greater than
any revenues gained through fines or fees assessed. Further, it may
cause a drop in licensing compliance, as otherwise responsible may
owners seek to avoid high fees they are unable to pay. It may also lead
owners to avoid proper veterinary care and vaccinations in order to
avoid detection.
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