AnimalVoicesNews Source/Letters: USA Today <editor @ usatoday.com> (close spaces) or <http://asp.usatoday.com/marketing/feedback/feedback-online.aspx?type=18> Link: http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2007-06-17-fixed-pets_N.htm
Contacts: If you live in California, find your State Senator at: <http://www.senate.ca.gov/~newsen/senators/senators.htp> Judie Mancuso Sponsor / Campaign Director AB 1634 California Healthy Pets Act www.cahealthypets.com <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Calif. pet lovers at odds on spay/neuter legislation By Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Greg Cross, at Irvine's dog park Central Bark with his three dogs, says all his dogs are "fixed," but he complains that it's not the state's business to order it. By William M. Welch, USA TODAY LOS ANGELES The fur is flying in California over a proposed first-in-the-nation law that would impose fines on most dog and cat owners who fail to get their pets "fixed." The bill, which narrowly passed the state Assembly last week and is now before the Senate, would impose a $500 fine per animal on pet-owners who fail to spay or neuter their pets to prevent them from having litters. Several celebrities made phone calls to lawmakers in support of the measure, including former The Price is Right game show host and animal lover Bob Barker. The law requires puppies and kittens to be surgically altered by 4 months of age for their owners to be in compliance. "Why should I have to pay somebody $500 just because I want my dog whole?" said Greg Cross, who was hanging out at Central Bark, a dog park in Irvine. Cross was at the park with his three dogs, Bear, Stella and Chanel. All the dogs had been fixed but he did not like the idea of being ordered to do it. "It's too much law getting into people's lives," Cross complained. The proposed law has some exceptions such as for purebreds used for show and breeding, and rescue, guide and law enforcement dogs. Owners would have to get a permit from their city or county to avoid the law. The law would make California the first state with a universal spay/neuter law. Backers, who include the state Veterinary Medicine Association and many local humane societies, say it would cut down on the huge number of unwanted pets that end up in shelters and are put to death every year. A group lobbying for the bill, Healthy Pets California, says 850,000 dogs and cats are abandoned each year in California and more than 450,000 of them put to death. "We're doing this because we spend $300 million a year on these animals," says Assemblyman Lloyd Levine of Van Nuys, sponsor of the bill. Opponents, who include the American Kennel Club and breeders, say the law would penalize responsible dog owners. They say they would have to buy permits, pay fees or pay for surgery while irresponsible pet owners evade the law or dump pets in shelters rather than comply. Critics also say the law could spell doom for mutts. That's because breeders usually produce dogs of pure pedigree to get the highest prices for their animals. Banning reproduction except for pure breeds could wipe out mixed breed dogs that are far more numerous that pure-breeds and extremely popular as working and sporting dogs, police dogs and pets, says Kelley Moran, spokesman for PetPAC, a group of breeders and others opposed to the bill. "This decimates dogs for future generations," Moran says. "Eighty-five percent of all pet owners in California own dogs and cats that are not purebred." The California Veterinary Medical Association dismisses the notion mutts are endangered. "It is highly unlikely that the law will eliminate mixed breeds," it says in arguing for the law on its website. The bill passed on a 41-38 vote in the Assembly but has an uncertain fate in the state Senate. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, a dog owner, has not said whether he would sign the bill. At Central Bark, owners were divided on the plan. "I'm against it. That's just one more person telling me how to raise my children," said Kathy Smith, whose black Labrador mix Boomer is neutered. George Voss was at the park with his black Labrador, Shim, and Cole and Levi, two basenjis that are small barkless dogs with curly tails. The basenjis compete in dog shows and are intact as a requirement of competition, Voss said, adding that the issue has roiled the show-dog world. "Show dog people are really upset," said Voss, adding that a dog may be much older than 4 months before an owner determines if it has qualities desired for breeding. "It's kind of ridiculous." Sheila Ivery, whose female Rottweiler Scout was spayed at 6 months, said fixing dogs is the responsible thing to do and a law requiring it "reasonable." She said those who don't want to alter their dogs can pay $500 fines. Elaine Pimentel whose Beagle, Mr. Beaglesworth, and mutt, Buddy, had been neutered, said she was all for the law. "I wish every state would do it," she said. "I'm tired of my tax money going to put down so many dogs and cats because people are irresponsible." Copyright 2007 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Co. Inc. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~> You are AnimalVoices Speaking For Animals & Their Environment This is distibuted for nonprofit research and educational purposes only. [Ref.http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html] You are invited to read past articles and alerts, subscribe, or unsubscribe at: AnimalVoicesNews: http://groups-beta.google.com/group/AnimalVoicesNews AnimalVoicesAlerts:http://groups-beta.google.com/group/AnimalVoicesAlerts BushWatchersNews: http://groups-beta.google.com/groups?q=bushwatchernews&start=0&scoring=d To unsubscribe, send email to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Others -- just ask not to be copied.
