I live in Albuquerque, New Mexico, who has adopted laws similar to those in L.A., but go even further. Here, all dogs and cats must be spayed or neutered and you can purchase an intact permit for $150 per pet, per year. All pets must be microchipped, and have current vaccinations. They must also have a city license. The $6 fee for the city license goes into a fund to help low income residents to spay and neuter their pets, but where do you think the intact permit fees go? Directly into the City's slush fund. There are even laws regarding the shade and shelter for your pets and amounts of food and water that must be present, etc.
These laws are a blatant disregard for the rights of pet owners. These laws do not punish the law breakers. Those that don't care about their animals will continue to let them run loose and will not bother with the new laws. When they get caught for violating, then they just surrender the animal and get another one down the road. These laws punish those of us that care deeply for our animals. I for one show my animals and so I am punished with high fees to keep them intact. I can guarantee that mine don't get out. Shouldn't I have to pay a fine when they do, rather than be charged up front for something that they have not done. My dogs will not be bred irresponsibly. They may not be bred at all if we do not feel their traits are worth passing on to better the breed. As far as the AKC being in it for the money. They are a non-profit organization. How could they be in it for the money?
There are legitimate studies that show the health risks of spaying and neutering animals. The animal activists have their hearts in the right place, but I think fines should only be levied if someone is proven to be in violation. Low cost procedures should be offered, but the process should be voluntary, not required. We cannot possibly save all of the unwanted animals. Making these laws will not make the problem disappear, but rather make good law abiding citizens into outlaws if they don't want to comply because they show or breed dogs.
The Fix Is In
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However, the American Veterinary Medical Association encourages sterilization and urges on its Web site to get it done "as early as possible," which it defines as 8-16 weeks. Linda Barth, assistant general manager of Los Angeles Animal Services, says most complaints the city receives involve pets that are not fixed.
"At the bottom of the problem, when there are issues in the neighborhood, is unsterilized animals," she says. "The law will reduce bites and overpopulation. There will be fewer strays, and animals will not be as aggressive. They will not be driven by biology to escape."
The city will not enforce the new law by peeking underneath everyone's pets, Barth says, but will instead issue citations when responding to routine complaints. Officers will give people a chance to sterilize their pets voluntarily without paying fines, which start at $100 and eventually reach $500 (or 40 hours of community service) plus a misdemeanor charge the longer the pet goes unfixed.
Austin says most people informed of the law do "the right thing," although men in some of the city's toughest neighborhoods can be the hardest to convince. "It's always the women who bring them in," she says. "I always tell the guys, 'Man, I'm leaving yours alone. We're only taking his.' Most of the time I get them, but it's a macho thing."
Even though Austin couldn't convince Santos to get Ruby fixed, Betancourt said she would probably bring the dog back next month and her ex-husband will never know the difference. If not, Santos might be hearing from Animal Services.
"I got his address. I'll be reporting him to the city," Austin said. "He'll be getting a visit."
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