Bob Barker Champions Mandatory Spay/Neuter Before Chicago City Council
Take Animal Law Coalition's poll on mandatory spay/neuter laws!
Update July 30, 2008:
Famed game show host and animal activist Bob Barker spoke at the Chicago City Council Committee hearing Tuesday.
The issue was the proposed mandatory spay/neuter ordinance. And Barker takes every chance he can to tell people about the importance of spay/neuter.
Barker told the committee, "[T]he only answer is legislation....It's the obvious answer. ...The movement for spay and neuter legislation is sweeping across this country".
The committee decided, however, to table the proposed ordinance for now.
The proposed ordinance is similar to one passed earlier in Los Angeles. Many proponents hope it will reduce dog bite incidents. One of the sponsors, Alderperson Virginia Rugai described it as "an incredible step towards limiting aggressive dogs."
Opponents claimed the proposal would do nothing to stop irresponsible and criminal owners whose treatment of dogs, or mistreatment, neglect, or failure to train, result in bites. Breeders, of course, oppose the measure and others simply don't think the government should tell them to spay/neuter their animals.
It was also noted the city impounded and euthanized 13,300 stray dogs and cats in 2007 at a cost of $2.3 million.
Read Animal Law Coalition's original report below for more on this bill and the effect of spay/neuter on aggression in dogs and the importance of available free or low cost spay/neuter.
Update July 28, 2008: Chicago city council committees may vote tomorrow, Tuesday, July 29, 2008 on the mandatory spay/neuter ordinance. A hearing will be held:
Committee on Finance / Committee on License and Consumer Protection Meeting
10:00 a.m. CST (arrive by 9:00 a.m. for best seating), Chicago City Hall, Council Chambers, 2nd Floor
121 North La Salle Street, Chicago , IL
For more on this proposed ordinance and what you can do, read Animal Law Coalition's original report below.
Original report: Typically, reports of attacks by pit bulls many times prompt local officials to try to pass bans or restrictions on these breeds.
In Chicago, however, in the wake of a reported attack by pit bulls on a mother on her way to pick up her children, two members of the city council, Edward M. Burke and Ginger Rugai have instead proposed a mandatory spay/neuter ordinance.
With some exceptions, the ordinance would ban from the city any dog or cat over 6 months of age unless it has been spayed/neutered.
Rugai has previously submitted similar ordinances, to no avail. But now with the support of Burke, the council's Finance Committee Chairperson, the ordinance is likely to be taken seriously.
It is hoped the ordinance will reduce the overpopulation of homeless pets that end up euthanized in shelters. It is estimated approximately 20,000 animals are euthanized in Chicago's public shelters each year. The goal is for Chicago to become a ‘no kill' city where every animal taken in by shelters end up in good homes.
Spay/Neuter and Public Safety - What Studies Show
Burke has made clear that a primary goal of the ordinance is to increase public safety by targeting gangs and others that keep unsterilized dogs because they are aggressive, "tough" or "mean" animals.
Research cited in a 2000 Journal of American Veterinary Medical Association study indicated unsterilized dogs are 2.6 times more likely to bite. And in another study 81% of dogs involved in bite incidents were not spayed/neutered (Texas 2002 Severe Animal Attack and Bite Surveillance Summary) Over 90% of fatal dog attacks are by dogs that have not been spayed/neutered. (National Canine Research Council)
Proposed Exemptions and Penalties
The new law would exempt persons who obtain a breeding permit, but they would be required to submit to a background check and home inspection as well as pay a fee. Burke hopes the thought of a background check would deter many people particularly criminals and gang members from obtaining licenses to breed dogs for aggression or fighting.
Other exceptions are for (1) dogs or cats whose veterinarian certifies a valid medical reason for not being sterilized, (2) dogs and cats of breeds approved by and registered with a registry or association recognized by the commission whose programs and practices are consistent with the humane treatment of animals, and the dogs or cats are kept for the purposes of showing or competing in legitimate shows or competitions hosted by or under the approval of recognized registry or association; (3) dogs that have earned or are actively being trained and are in the process of earning an agility, carting, herding, protection, rally, hunting, working or other title from a registry or association recognized by the commission whose programs and practices are consistent with the humane treatment of animals; (4) service dogs, and (5) military, law enforcement or guard dogs.
Initial fines for violators could be up to $100. The fines would increase to $500 if violators fail to comply within 30 days. The pet could also be impounded and spayed/neutered by the city.
State of Illinois Spay/Neuter Requirements
It should be noted Illinois law already requires any dogs declared vicious or dangerous must be spayed/neutered. Also, certain felons are banned from owning not only vicious dogs, but also dogs that have not been spayed/neutered. Click here for more on these laws.
Just last year Illinois passed a law requiring "potentially dangerous" dogs to be spayed/neutered. These are dogs picked up running loose, unsupervised, with 3 other dogs. 510 ILCS 5/2.17c; 510 ILCS 5/15.4 Illinois requires any dog picked up as a stray for the second time must be spayed/neutered. 510 ILCS 5/9
Importance of Free or Low Cost Spay/Neuter
Chicago's proposed mandatory spay/neuter ordinance does not at this point provide for free or low or moderate cost spay/neuter. PAWS Chicago, which supports the ordinance, does offer free spay/neuter to qualified residents.
Mandatory spay/neuter ordinances do impact the poor who may simply dump their animals at least in the initial period following passage of the law. These laws are difficult and expensive to enforce. These mandatory laws can result in decreases in compliance with pet licensing and vaccination laws, providing less funding for animal control and greater likelihood of increases in incidents of rabies and other diseases from animals whose owners fail to comply with these requirements.
In promoting spay/neuter, communities have had the most success when there is funding for free or low or moderate cost spay/neuter.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Write City Council members Edmund T. Burke and Ginger Rugai and urge them to provide funding for free or low or moderate cost spay/neuter.
Edmund T. Burke eburke@cityofchicag
Ginger Rugai grugai@cityofchicago.org; phone 773-238-8766; 312-744-3072; Fax: 773-238-9049
Contact other committee leaders and urge them also to provide funding for free or low or moderate cost spay/neuter.
Committee on Finance:
Vice-Chairperson Patrick J. O'Connor ward40@cityofchicago.org
Phone 773-769-1140, Fax 773-769-3804, Phone 312-744-6858, Fax 312-744-7248.
Committee on License and Consumer Protection:
Chairperson Eugene C. Schulter ward47@cityofchicago.org
Phone 773-348-8400, Phone 312-744-3180, Fax 312-744-4021
Vice-Chairman Isaac Carothers ward29@cityofchicago.org
Phone 773-261-4646, Fax 773-261-8687, Phone 312-744-3070
Click here for a list of Wards and the Aldermen or city council member in each ward along with email addresses. Write each member and urge them to provide funding for free or low or moderate cost spay/neuter.
