[ SHOWGSD-L ] AKC Legislative Alert: ANOTHER MANDATORY SPAY/NEUTER ORDINANCE INTRODUCED IN NEW ORLEANS
- From: Stormy Hope <Stormy435@xxxxxxx>
- To: Showgsd List GSD <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 15 Apr 2010 10:39:35 -0700
(To view a full copy of this alert, go to
http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=4094.)
In a purported effort to address three recent well-publicized dog bite
incidents in New Orleans, a new mandatory spay/neuter ordinance
proposal has been introduced in the New Orleans City Council. It
seeks to require all dogs be sterilized by six months of age or
require their owners to purchase a costly annual intact dog permit.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) opposes the ordinance, and encourages
all responsible dog owners in New Orleans to contact the City Council
and respectfully yet strongly urge them to vote down this proposal.
Councilwoman Cynthia Hedge-Morrell, sponsor of the current proposal,
introduced a similar mandatory spay/neuter ordinance last year to
address funding inadequacies of the Louisiana Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (LaSPCA), which enforces the city’s
animal control laws. That proposal did not pass the Council.
If enacted, the new ordinance will impose many new unreasonable
requirements on responsible dog owners in New Orleans, which include:
• Requiring all dogs six months of age or older (with few exceptions)
to be spayed or neutered or require owners to purchase an annual
intact dog permit. Mandatory spay/neuter ordinances have not been
effective anywhere they have been adopted. In fact, in many cases the
euthanization rates in surrounding areas have declined faster than
those areas with mandatory spay/neuter policies. Additionally, the
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and
the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) have both issued
policy statements in the past year stating that mandatory spay/neuter
policies are not effective. Enforcement of existing law, including
leash and confinement laws, is a better alternative that does not
discriminate against responsible, law-abiding dog owners.
• Limiting female dogs from whelping more than one litter per year,
or whelping a litter if the female is younger than 18-months of age.
The AKC opposes any arbitrary limitation on the responsible breeding
of purebred dogs, and believes health and reproduction decisions are
best made by owners in consultation with their dogs’ veterinarian.
• Imposing significant fines for those who are found to be in
violation of the ordinance, with the income from the fines to be used
to further finance the LaSPCA’s animal control efforts. The AKC
believes that the cost of enforcement of the ordinance will be far
greater than any revenues gained through fines or fees assessed.
Further, New Orleans may experience a significant drop in licensing
compliance rates and revenues similar to other cities where mandatory
spay/neuter laws have been enacted. It could also lead owners to
avoid proper veterinary care and vaccinations for their dogs in order
to avoid detection.
The American Kennel Club opposes mandatory spay/neuter laws. Instead,
we support reasonable and enforceable laws that protect the welfare
and health of purebred dogs and do not restrict the rights of breeders
and owners who take their responsibilities seriously. Additionally,
we strongly support and actively promote a wide range of programs to
educate the public about responsible breeding practices and the
responsibilities of dog ownership.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
The Government Relations Department has received word that the
ordinance is likely to be voted on at its next meeting on Thursday,
April 22. The AKC strongly encourages all responsible dog breeders
and owners in New Orleans to contact the current members of the New
Orleans City Council. Respectfully let them know that you oppose the
mandatory spay/neuter proposal, and urge them to vote against it.
Council President Arnie Fielkow (At-Large)
City Hall, Room 2W40
1300 Perdido Street
New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: (504) 658-1060
Fax: (504) 658-1068
afielkow@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Council Vice President Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson (At-Large)
City Hall, Room 2W50
1300 Perdido Street
New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: (504) 658-1070
Fax: (504) 658-1077
jbclarkson@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Councilwoman Shelley Midura (District A)
City Hall, Room 2W80
1300 Perdido Street
New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: (504) 658-1010
Fax: (504) 658-1016
smidura@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Councilwoman Stacy Head (District B)
City Hall, Room 2W10
1300 Perdido Street
New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: (504) 658-1020
Fax: (504) 658-1025
shead@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Councilman James Carter (District C)
City Hall, Room 2W70
1300 Perdido Street
New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: (504) 658-1030
Fax: (504) 658-1037
jcarter@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Councilwoman Cynthia Hedge-Morrell (District D) – ordinance sponsor
City Hall, Room 2W20
1300 Perdido Street
New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: (504) 658-1040
Fax: (504) 658-1048
chmorrell@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Councilwoman Cynthia Willard-Lewis (District E)
City Hall, Room 2W60
1300 Perdido Street
New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: (504) 658-1050
Fax: (504) 658-1058
cwlewis@xxxxxxxxxxxx
RESOURCES:
Click here for a copy of the proposal.
Click here for tips on Communicating Effectively with Your Legislators.
For more information and the latest developments on the New Orleans
mandatory spay/neuter proposal, please contact AKC’s Government
Relations Department at (919) 816-3720, or e-mail doglaw@xxxxxxxx
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