Long Beach, CA. is trying to make a step towards the protection of animals. Tomorrow, on November 18th, the Long Beach City Council will vote on a measure to make spaying and neutering of dogs mandatory, except in cases with medical exclusions or breeding permits. This is on the table for discussion because the pet overpopulation has gotten so out of hand, with thousands of animals being euthanized in shelters every year. It is already mandatory to spay or neuter cats in Long Beach.
According to a memo attached to this spay/neuter proposal:
“Even with the good work of our ACS (Animal Care Services) and community partners, more pro-active measures can and should be taken to reduce pet overpopulation and irresponsible pet ownership. To illustrate this point, ACS impounded approximately 4,440 dogs in 2013, which works out to be 12 dogs per day, seven days per week. Of that total, approximately 1 in 4 were puppies and a vast majority was unaltered. Of the dogs impounded, 60% were either returned to their owner, adopted or transferred to rescues….Another notable segment of animals impounded by ACS are those coming from illegal backyard breeding that have been dumped in our city’s parks or on our streets. Tragically, some female pit bulls are bred for only one litter before being dumped by their owner in favor of a younger female in the litter. By requiring dogs to be spayed/neutered,…we are providing Animal Care Services Bureau with another effective tool for motivating dog owners….Abandonment, strays and ferals will also decrease. Not to mention the health benefits for dogs in receiving veterinarian attention and females in particular, by reducing their risk of mammary and ovarian cancer, infection and stress….”
What do you think of this proposed ordinance, and should other cities follow suit?
