California Spay/Neuter Bill Fails in Senate

Posted: Tuesday, June 2, 2009, 1:36 p.m., EDT

California Spay/Neuter Bill Fails in Senate The California Senate on June 1 rejected Senate Bill 250, a measure that would require sterilization of most of the state’s cats and dogs. The vote was 16-15, with 21 votes needed for passage.

A vote to reconsider the measure will take place on June 2.

SB250, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Dean Florez, calls on cat owners to spay or neuter their pet at 6 months of age if the cat is allowed to roam at large. The bill also requires the sterilization of all dogs at 6 months of age unless the owner gets an unaltered dog license.

The bill has been amended to authorize local governments to use existing procedures to issue intact dog licenses or to charge a fee for procedures related to the issuance, denial or revocation of unaltered dog licenses. In addition, unaltered dogs used in legal hunting activities would be exempt from being cited.

The sterilization of dogs found to be at large continues to be a requirement under the bill.

SB250 is backed by the Social Compassion in Legislation, which says the bill would reduce euthanasia rates and save tax dollars, as well as various humane societies.

The American Kennel Club sent out an alert June 2 stating that continued opposition of the bill is needed. The AKC is asking that fanciers, responsible breeders and concerned dog owners contact Senate members and encourage them to either abstain or vote no.

Click here to read the amended bill. <HOME>

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California Spay/Neuter Bill Fails in Senate

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Reader Comments

We do need this law to pass and anyone who doesn't think so is just plain ignorant. Period.

Lori, CA, CA
Posted: 5/19/2010 12:16:54 PM

We don't need another law restricting our freedom. What's next? Neutering or spaying of humans? No one has addressed one simple fact. What about my dog? Do you think a male dog is really a dog after his balls are cut off? No male is the same, and I like my dogs with spark and sparkle, not a eunuch. The same goes for female dogs. I could go on and on but this is nothing but another attempt to take away our rights and our animals rights, don't let this happen!

john, Vista, CA
Posted: 6/2/2009 11:33:53 PM

Hello Everybody! This bill is long overdue. Those who oppose this bill please take a walk down Nocta Street in Ontario California. While you casually stroll down this hidden part of the Inland Empire you will see a dozen dogs or so along your walk without collars or tags which look half starved and unbathed. Furthermore you will hear barking of large breed dogs in the backyards of the residents. Some of these are pits who are chained up for a purpose. They are intended to be fighting dogs.
Few of the residents on this street spay or neuter their pets.

Due to lax laws and by local and state governments their is a crazy notion that every family is entitled to own a dog. If a family struggles financially they should not take on the added responsibility of owning a dog or breeding dogs. But you see, without laws and restriction this is what has happened for decades and particularly in this recent time.
Now as a result we have thousands of pets living in abusive and neglectful homes. And as a result in the US 6 million are euthanized every year and in southern California at least 60 thousand or more are euthanized.

I believe in freedom and personal rights but in this case the situation has become so extreme so bad so fast this is absolutely the only solution to the dilemma. You see our population has exploded faster than we can keep up with and therefore civil obedience has been compromised and we have too many people breeding and owning pets who can barely afford to take care of themselves. It's a crime and time for government to step in to protect the weak. i.e. pets.

Jennie, Pomona, CA
Posted: 6/2/2009 8:57:02 PM

I agree with Deirdre on this !
How sad for California and all of the ethical breeders there.
Animals that end up in shelters, and it isn't just dogs and cats, it's EVERY ANIMAL, bird, rabbit, rat, pig, chicken, horse, cow, goat, they end up there because of stupid people, they think they want to breed their 'pet' just once, think it would be a great for their children to experience 'birth', maybe keep one or two from the resulting litter, and give the rest away, to who ever. Who ever lets these offspring roam, get bred, and more unwanted animals. These aren't pedigreed animals roaming either.
Pedigreed animals get loose from yards because of opened gates, sneak out when a door is opened. If a pedigree dog or cat is in a shelter it is no fault of a breeder, it's the fault of the new owner.
Ethical breeders don't let their animals roam at large, breedings are planned, pedigrees are studied, they are being punished, these people who show, promote, and educate 'pet' owners, of PUREBRED dogs and cats.
So how are they going to police this new law, hire someone to search the internet, classified ads in the newspapers, and get addresses to bang down a caring breeders door, who has NEVER had a complaint against them EVER, they have spent every extra penny they have made from working a full time job and put it into their breeding program, breeding stock, shows, ect. and the state and government can take all of their animals, they end up in a shelter, are spayed and neutered and those blood lines are gone FOREVER.
Sad ! Sad ! Sad !

Michelle, Jacksonville, AR
Posted: 6/2/2009 3:00:03 PM

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