Mandatory sterilization bill dies a deserved death in California

California’s AB 1634, the proposed legislation to mandate the sterilization of dogs and cats by 16 weeks of age, is dead—or at least defanged.

The new version completely rewritten by Senator Negrete McLeod targets dogs that have been subject of complaints made to animal control. In other words, irresponsible owners are the focus of the new proposal.

Fines on dog owners would be $50 for a first impoundment (up from $35), $100 for the second occurrence (up from $50), and would make spay-neuter mandatory on a third impound.source

AB 1634 was a misguided and poorly conceived effort to stop pet overpopulation by government intervention. It was opposed by almost every organization devoted to the welfare of dogs and cats.

Supporters included puppy mills which were not affected by the bill and animal rights groups which believe animals should not be kept as domestic companions.

Meanwhile responsible pet owners will continue to voluntarily sterilize pets not in a breeding program without government regulations forced down their throats. Early sterilization should be a decision made by owners and veterinarians, not the government, in the interest of the health of the individual pet.

The author of the bill, Lloyd Levine, lost his house seat because of term limits and was defeated in his recent run for the State Senate.

Yay.

Comments

[Splash]

"The new version completely rewritten by Senator Negrete McLeod targets dogs that have been subject of complaints made to animal control. In other words, irresponsible owners are the focus of the new proposal."

Sounds reasonable. So why are local Kennel Clubs still organizing to fight the revised proposal? When will we decide that something is good enough to compromise on, and lend our support?

I would like to see the fancy make a reasonable proposal of their own (something other than "don't restrict my personal right to breed dogs" anyway), and get out and support it. I just don't see that happening. I do not think we should wait around much longer. More dogs get killed every day for the crime of being homeless.

--- a formerly loyal club member who is slowly but surely being forced to the "other" side ----

[Matt]

When the puppy mills are supporting a bill, then you know it has no chance.

[Laura]

I'm glad to hear that the bill has been rewritten. It sounds like a good compromise.

[gus and louie]

We agree it should be at the discretion of a responsible pet owner.. not the government...

Big Sloppy Kisses
Gus and Louie

[jackiesue]

hot dang...good news...

[saintlover]

The only people that legislation like this hurts are the responsible proactive owners. They make dog ownership into a crime and thats just not right!

[Sling]

I get fired up any time they try to pass legislation governing responsible behavior.
Those kind of laws assume that we all fall into the least common denominator..it's insulting.

[schnoodlepooh]

now if there was just some way to convince all pet owners to be responsible and spay and neuter their pets. i agree with Matt that if puppy mills support the bill, then you know there has to be something wrong with it.

[K9 Amiga]

yay, absolutely

[Semavi Lady]

I think you all missed the point.

It is still absolutely a mandatory spay and neuter bill. It is NOT DEAD, the bill is not neutered... and it is now based on complaints/harassment, hate, natural acts or impoundment and bad luck.

Get this: Complaints about your dog do not have to be substantiated. Complaints are merely a process of bringing attention and difficulty into your lives. Having ANY unneutered dog whatsoever, as the bill is written, makes ownership of said dog illegal, no ifs and/or buts -- so whether or not your dog ever left your property, you can now absolutely be cited simply because the dog is not neutered.

In plain English, even if you can prove your dog was always in your living room or was with you doing therapy work at a hospital when the complaint was levied, the mere fact that your dog has dreaded gonads makes ownership of said dog illegal. No exceptions.

If someone goes into your yard, leaves the gate open and your dog gets out, that counts as one, if your dog is impounded or a neighbor complains. If you have another storm and your dog freaks and runs, or if the fence goes down or a board falls out, there is another demerit for your illegal dog. If that nosey neighbor doesn't like the shrubs in your yard, your parties or whatever, and gossips over the fence with similar minded cohorts, your illegal dog's fate will no longer be a matter of your choice.

With no statute of limitations, and no exceptions, no longer any exemptions whatsoever (service dogs, police dogs, working dogs), with no substantiation required for the original complaint... all you need is someone or an incident at three different times during your dog's short life of a dozen years or more.

There is no due process. Three strikes for dogs, cats get two. Note that this does nothing to prevent 'pet overpopulation' nor improve public safety. This law has become a laughingstock. It is nothing more than a ghastly football pool that people want to win, "because it is a step in the right direction".

Sad.

[cube]

The road to Hell is paved with good intentions and misguided attempts. Good riddance to this ridiculous bill.

[Coll]

I am not familiar with this bill (living in Canada) but am glad to hear it has been scraped. At the same time ... thousands of unwanted animals are being born daily. I do think that a solution must be found but am not sure what the solution will be. I do think many organizations and vets are doing a great job in trying to educate the public.. but still the problem goes on. And don't get me started on puppy mills. Just this week a local puppy mill in our area was raided and 90 badly treated dogs rescued. Not all will survive. Not all will find homes. It just breaks my heart.

[Semavi Lady]

Unfortunately, the bill IS alive and well. It is not gone.

You can read about its current form here:
http://www.saveourdogs.net

[Lindsay]

I didn't like that the bill said dogs had to be fixed by the age of 16 weeks. That made me worry that some dogs would be spayed at a really young age. That just doesn't seem healthy, but maybe I'm wrong. Many people have their dogs spayed or neutered in the first six months, but not always in the first four months.