[ SHOWGSD-L ] New Orleans, LA <AKC>Mandatory Sterilization considered 5/6/2010
- From: Stormy Hope <Stormy435@xxxxxxx>
- To: Showgsd-l list <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 4 May 2010 09:27:54 -0700
[Tuesday, May 04, 2010]
The AKC Government Relations Department has confirmed that the New
Orleans City Council will consider a mandatory spay/neuter ordinance
this Thursday, May 6, 2010. The proposal, in a purported effort to
address three well-publicized dog bite incidents in New Orleans, 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) strongly 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:
All concerned responsible dog owners in the New Orleans area are
strongly encouraged to contact each member of the New Orleans City
Council and Mayor Mitch Landrieu. Respectfully let them know that you
oppose the mandatory spay/neuter proposal, and urge them to vote
against it. Click here for a sample letter to customize and send to
the City Council members.
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
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
Susan G. Guidry, District A
City Hall, Room 2W80
1300 Perdido Street
New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: (504) 658-1010
Fax: (504) 658-1016
sguidry@xxxxxxxxxxxx
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
Kristin Gisleson Palmer, District C
City Hall, Room 2W70
1300 Perdido Street
New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: (504) 658-1030
Fax: (504) 658-1037
kgpalmer@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Cynthia Hedge-Morrell, District D (Sponsor)
City Hall, Room 2W20
1300 Perdido Street
New Orleans, Louisiana 70112
Phone: (504) 658-1040
Fax: (504) 658-1048
chmorrell@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Jon D. Johnson, District E
City Hall, Room 2W60
1300 Perdido Street
New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: (504) 658-1050
Fax: (504) 658-1058
jdjohnson@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Mayor Mitch Landrieu
1300 Perdido Street
New Orleans, LA 70112
Phone: (504) 658-8400
Click here for a form to e-mail Mayor Landrieu.
Click here to view AKC?s previous alerts on New Orleans? 2010
mandatory spay/neuter proposal.
For more information, contact AKC?s Government Relations Department at
(919) 816-3720, or e-mail doglaw@xxxxxxxx
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