Health

Mandatory Sterilization for L.A. Pets

by Jordan Yerman | February 27, 2008 at 08:18 am

777 views | 5 Recommendations | 6 comments

There will be a proliferation of white plastic neck cones in the greater Los Angeles area...

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa on Tuesday signed one of the nation's toughest laws on pet sterilization, requiring most dogs and cats to be spayed or neutered by the time they are 4 months old.

The ordinance is aimed at reducing and eventually eliminating the thousands of euthanizations conducted in Los Angeles' animal shelters every year.

"We will, sooner rather than later, become a no-kill city and this is the greatest step in that direction," Councilman Tony Cardenas said as he held a kitten at a City Hall news conference.

Councilman Richard Alarcon, who like Cardenas is a co-author of the bill, brought his two pet Chihuahuas to the event to be neutered in a van operated by the city.

The ordinance does exempt some animals, including those that have competed in shows or sporting competitions, guide dogs, animals used by police agencies and those belonging to professional breeders.

This law would be retroactive, and would apply to doggies and kitties as well as puppies and kittens. Fines would also be levied to those who don't put their pets under the knife, though I'm not sure how easily this can be enforced. Will police officers have to drop to their knees in the presence of dogs, checking their, um, undercarriages?

Here are the fines and penalties:

First offense: Information on subsidized sterilization services provided and given 60 days to comply.

Second offense: Could be fined $100 and ordered to serve as many as 8 hours of community service.

Third offense: Possible $500 fine or 40 hours of community service.

Do you think that this is a draconian measure, or is it necessary to avoid overstuffing animal shelters with strays and pets that nobody will care for?

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Nicole Billard

at 12:17 on February 27th, 2008

Bob Barker would be proud. Hopefully this will actively limit the puppy mills too.

Jordan Yerman

at 12:45 on February 27th, 2008

I'm just blown away by how many photogenic dogs and cats live in L.A.

Barry ORegan

flagged this story as Good Stuff

at 16:44 on February 27th, 2008

jordan, though it is a good story, some won't be satisfied until they pass a law mandating certain celebrities get sterlized as well, God knows that would be welcome news on the Food CHain, betcha that would make Bob Barker happy

photorant

at 10:08 on February 28th, 2008

I have been working on a photo essay of the Los Angeles River, when I have the opportunity I spend my mornings just walking and shooting in the river. I watched this couple walking towards me with their dog dashing about and knew it would make a good image. The dog was very aware of what I was doing and seemed to play to the camera. You can see more of my LA River images at:http://www.flickr.com/photos/82712482@N00/

photorant has contributed a photo to this story.

gerrypopplestone

at 20:41 on February 28th, 2008

Excellent idea, but the authorities could go further...............I say round 'em up and boil them up for soup in these days of obese people and food shortages! The Sri Lankan authorities have just innoculated all dogs on the island and clipped their ears as a record. Each dog-=holder has a card to get free injections each year.

Gerry