SB Legislators Stand Up for Pet Owners
Posted by: Drew Mercy | 06/26/2008 1:22 PM
Of the thousands of bills before the California Legislature this year, one of the most commented on to legislative offices is Assembly Bill 1634 (Levine) - legislation that would require almost every pet dog and cat in California be spayed or neutered.
PetPAC, an organization of breeders, pet owners and freedom activists from all over the state who have worked together to fight this bill. While it's been watered down, it's still onerous, burdensome and likely to lead to increased costs, despite what the author contends.
The bill is a threat to animal health, as it requires sterilization regardless of age and health or even the objection of the animal's veterinarian. It would allow criminals to force the sterilization of a police dog based on three complaints, regardless of their veracity.
Readers may recall last year the bill received much media attention by way of Bob Barker. Barker, who ended every episode of "The Price is Right" with the sage advice of "please have your pet spayed or neutered," has long sought to reduce the number of animals euthanized at the pound. PetPAC fought celebrity with celebrity by bringing out a decendent of Lassie and the actor who played Timmy. Bob Barker has done much for animals, but his view on this bill is incorrect.
PetPAC notes that the number of animals in Los Angeles pounds has increased for the first time in years since they enacted a mandatory spay/neuter ordinance.
I grew up in a house of "dog people." My mother bred English Springer Spaniels and Samoyeds and showed them all over the country. At one point we had seven or eight dogs in the house, most of which we chose to neuter or spay at the appropriate time.
No one disputes the importance of being a responsible pet owner, but like with the 2nd Amendment, liberal Democrats choose to punish the responsible, law abiding folks, rather than deal with a real issue.
San Bernardino's Republican Assembly Members voted as a bloc against this bill, but was sent to the Senate on a party-line vote. It passed in the Senate Local Government Committee, again on a party-line vote.
Senator George Runner, who has not yet had a chance to vote on AB 1634 this year, took the proactive step of once again working closely with PetPAC to get the word out. Senator Runner's speech at a PetPAC rally last May is available at www.PetPAC.net
PetPAC, an organization of breeders, pet owners and freedom activists from all over the state who have worked together to fight this bill. While it's been watered down, it's still onerous, burdensome and likely to lead to increased costs, despite what the author contends.
The bill is a threat to animal health, as it requires sterilization regardless of age and health or even the objection of the animal's veterinarian. It would allow criminals to force the sterilization of a police dog based on three complaints, regardless of their veracity.
Readers may recall last year the bill received much media attention by way of Bob Barker. Barker, who ended every episode of "The Price is Right" with the sage advice of "please have your pet spayed or neutered," has long sought to reduce the number of animals euthanized at the pound. PetPAC fought celebrity with celebrity by bringing out a decendent of Lassie and the actor who played Timmy. Bob Barker has done much for animals, but his view on this bill is incorrect.
PetPAC notes that the number of animals in Los Angeles pounds has increased for the first time in years since they enacted a mandatory spay/neuter ordinance.
I grew up in a house of "dog people." My mother bred English Springer Spaniels and Samoyeds and showed them all over the country. At one point we had seven or eight dogs in the house, most of which we chose to neuter or spay at the appropriate time.
No one disputes the importance of being a responsible pet owner, but like with the 2nd Amendment, liberal Democrats choose to punish the responsible, law abiding folks, rather than deal with a real issue.
San Bernardino's Republican Assembly Members voted as a bloc against this bill, but was sent to the Senate on a party-line vote. It passed in the Senate Local Government Committee, again on a party-line vote.
Senator George Runner, who has not yet had a chance to vote on AB 1634 this year, took the proactive step of once again working closely with PetPAC to get the word out. Senator Runner's speech at a PetPAC rally last May is available at www.PetPAC.net
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This is why many sports ban the use of performance enhancing drugs. Another form of doping is blood...
Good post Drew.
In many areas - "it's easier to adopt a child than a pet" due to excessive spay/neuter created shortages.
Mutts make great pets - please don't legislate them into non-existance!
Thanks - Vaya con Dios.
If anyone doubts the need for this legislation - which is fair to everyone - then they should spend a day at their local animal shelter with the veterinary staff and watch as they euthanize adoptable pet after pet. Then, multiply that number thousands of times (because there are thousands of shelters within California) and the result is this: taxpayers spending millions just to euthanize over 50% of adoptable pets, with no forseeable end to the 'supply' of pets. It isn't right. But this legislation is the right thing to do and it's about time!