Florida & Alabama: Step forward or backward?

[Jr_K9_Expert]

Here is some interesting news for you guys:

Florida Spay-Neuter Bill Set for Hearing
Proposal requires all dogs and cats to be sterilized at 4 months of age.

The proposal, House Bill 451, describes pet overpopulation as a preventable problem that can be solved “simply by spaying and neutering companion animals.” As introduced, the bill requires the owner of every dog or cat in Florida to have each animal sterilized within 30 days of the animal reaching 4 months of age, or within 30 days of the owner taking in the pet.

Criteria for exemption include the following:

Dogs with veterinary certification showing that sterilization would endanger the pet’s health because of age, disability, or illness;

A Greyhound used for racing, until retirement;

Show animals registered with an established breed registration group approved by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services;

Dogs or cats who have earned, or are in the process of earning, a competitive sports title, such as agility or obedience;

Animals trained, or in training, for use in law enforcement, military, or rescue;

Animals for whom an owner holds a valid breeding permit issued in accordance with an ordinance of a county or municipality.

http://www.dogchannel.com/dog-news/2009/03/24/florida-spay-neuter-bill-set-for-hearing.aspx

Similar bill in Alabama, there are some differences though:

http://www.dogchannel.com/dog-news/2009/04/06/alabama-bill-would-require-pet-sterilization.aspx

What do you guys think? Step backwards or forwards?

[CerbiesMom]

I think it's an unenforcable law. People that don't care still won't spay/neuter, so what will it change? They won't have cops running around checking the private areas of pets.

[Jr_K9_Expert]

I think it's an unenforcable law. People that don't care still won't spay/neuter, so what will it change? They won't have cops running around checking the private areas of pets.

Bingo, this is the main issue. However one of the tactics that one bill uses is complaints. Which would result in fines or mandatory alteration. Wonder how they will work out the glitches though, but you know: how are we to know what will work and what will not if we never act?

[Shara]

I think that is awsome...it is a step forwards in the right path.

I think vets should manditory check if the dog has been fixed when they have to go get their rabies shot? I guess thats where they can enforce it...that is if the people take their dog/cat for regular vet check ups...


Very excited to hear this news though!

[Labman]

The problem is, it does nothing about the show breeders except reduce their competition.

[Jr_K9_Expert]

The problem is, it does nothing about the show breeders except reduce their competition.

You know if I have to choose between show breeders producing litters and the guy around the corner producing litter, I would choose the former because some actually do their homework (compared to the guy around the corner). Wouldn't you agree?

[PudelGrl]

I again think that trying to pass all these laws off for spay/neuter etc... is very much a band-aid approach. Its close to possible to enforce and it could have very negative effects for those breeding responsibly.

I still stick with my guns when I say focusing on general public education helps the pet population program more than anything else.

[Jr_K9_Expert]

I still stick with my guns when I say focusing on general public education helps the pet population program more than anything else.

That is indeed the solution to a myriad of problems;)

[ann_hawes]

Over 2 billion dollars each year are collected from tax paying citizens in the U.S. to kill surplus dogs and cats in shelters.
In my humble opinion, if we're to use education as the weapon of choice, we'd better get busy.

[k9mania]

Dognapping is on the rise, says American Kennel Club spokesperson Lisa Peterson, who tracks dog news around the country. In the first five months of 2008, the AKC reported three times as many dog thefts as the year before and the trend has continued into this year.
Why? Because dogs (and sometimes cats) now have street value. A well-bred puppy can fetch thousands of dollars when sold online or in newspapers. And people are more than willing to buy an adorable purebred from a questionable source for $1,500 when a legitimate breeder would have charged $3,000. The buyer won't get any papers with the dog, but it's such a bargain they don't care. Also, since people see their dogs as family members, they are often willing to pay big "rewards" -- ransom, really -- for the return of their beloved pet.
Toy breeds, puppies, and purebred dogs that look expensive or unusual are most vulnerable, says Peterson. Among the stolen breeds tracked by the AKC in 2008 are Yorkshire terriers, poodles, Pomeranians, shih tzu, bulldogs, corgis, a Norwich terrier and a mastiff.
Thieves will sometimes walk off with dogs from pet stores or shelters. The Boulder Valley Humane Society (http://boulderhumane.org/hsbv/index.asp) had several puppies stolen this way last year. Others will take dogs who have been left tied in front of a store or in a parked car while their human runs inside for a quick errand. Some thieves have even pretended to be a prospective buyer, gone to a breeder's home and nabbed the puppies.
Two armed men forced their way into a Los Angeles home last year, ordered the family of four to lay on the floor and stole four Yorkshire terriers puppies and one adult dog. The puppies, valued at $2,500, had been advertised in a newspaper and the men initially posed as buyers. A little more than a week later one of the suspects later turned himself in and four of the dogs were reunited with their family while one puppy remained missing. It's so Cruela DeVille you think it can't possibly happen, but increasingly, it does.
Here are some suggestions for protecting your dog from theft:


See rest of article at:


http://www.examiner.com/x-5924-Boulder-Pets-Examiner~y2009m4d6-Dog-theft-increases-as-economy-tanks

[6dogmom]

I love the spay neuter idea. It is definitly a step in the right direction. Every law has to start somewhere and at least this will give athorities the right to step in and shut the puppy mills down. Plus it will give us Floridians the right to call on people that we think are creating litters of pups for gain, or just because they are stupid.
Plus in my county now, if anyone calls on you the animal control has the right to inspect. If they find terrible conditions then you may be held liable for paying for the animal control services.
Keep Going FL!

[6dogmom]

Theft article:
That's scarey but I can see how it would happen. Let them go ahead and come it my house. I am sure Ty and Rocky have it covered. Not to mention Conner is getting big enough to be on the intimidation scale now, hehehe!

[Furbilator]

I think any legislation, even if it is difficult to near impossible to enforce, is a step in the right direction. I also think that those that are allowed to have an intact animal must prove that their animal is of quality and/or that the act of spay or neutering would effect performance (I personnally think it is a old man's myth ;) ).

As for K9Mania's article:
That is the one thing that worries me the most with my dog. She is a beautiful, friendly purebred and the most popular of all the breeds. She would go with anyone if they opened the gate and often encourages passersby to pat her with her friendliness. Although she is tattooed, I don't think the vets would check either the tats or do a microchip scan on new pets so there would be nothing stopping a thief from taking her and me never seeing her again. It is the #1 thing that worries me when I let her outside by herself. Scares the living shite out of me just thinking about it. I always leave the door open and call out a greeting to people who walk up to the gate to pet her so at the very least people know that I may be watching. But still.....scary stuff.

[Labman]

Interesting, we are both paying to destroying surplus dogs while other are being stolen.

[Furbilator]

Yes, kinda sad when you think about it.

[Jr_K9_Expert]

Hehe wait am I missing something? Is there a connection between dog theft and spay/neuter mandates? I'm so confused.lol.

This is one reason I'm glad that Junior and Sheetza don't take well to strangers unless we are with them. Heh, I'll go to the earth's end to find Junior if he every goes missing!

[6dogmom]

Hehe wait am I missing something? Is there a connection between dog theft and spay/neuter mandates? I'm so confused.lol.

This is one reason I'm glad that Junior and Sheetza don't take well to strangers unless we are with them. Heh, I'll go to the earth's end to find Junior if he every goes missing!

I agree with you Jr. I don't think any of mine would go with just anyone. Even for food. What about everyone else?

[Furbilator]

Labs are generally such friendly dogs that they are easily taken and theives know it. Unlike other dogs that may make a theif think twice about taking them.

For example, I let Cassie out of the back of the SUV and she spied a guy opening the side door to a white truck. Thinking that it was my Dad's truck and that Brandy was in the back waiting for a playdate, she bolted towards the truck. I yelled at her to heel and she came back but it wasn't without the mopey expression of 'why can't I go?' on her face.

Another example is with my old family dog, there had been some kids hanging out and being less than neighbourly behind the school (around where my parents live) so the police were patrolling the area. The officer stopped to speak with my Dad and left his car door open, our family dog just hopped into the car and was sitting in the passenger seat of the cop car as pleased as punch she was going with someone new. I think she had a guilty conscience about something ;) LOL. Now generally, none of our dogs ever wandered but they are easily distracted by any new human-playmate. :o

Furbs

[Furbilator]

[QUOTE=Jr_K9_Expert;77221]Hehe wait am I missing something? Is there a connection between dog theft and spay/neuter mandates? I'm so confused.lol.QUOTE]

Just that it is a shame that so many animals are left in shelters (some are from supposedly purebred lines), are euthanized because of lack of homes and still there are those that HAVE homes lose their beloved pets to theives who turn around and sell these animals to ignorant purchasers. If the purchasers of animals really and truly investigated the source of these animals (byb, puppymills, stolen animals, etc.) and only purchased from reputible breeders or adopted from shelters the shelters would be a lot less occupied.

Now it also begs the question, if there are fewer available animals due to sterilization laws and restrictive breeding, would that increase the risk of pet theft? I think yes. But I also think that that day is long off. Still scary though.

[elsasmom]

I agree with you Jr. I don't think any of mine would go with just anyone. Even for food. What about everyone else?

I don't think Elsa would jump into anyone else's car (other than a very close friend of ours) or willingly follow anyone as she's pretty attached to home and me. If someone forcefully tried to take her, she'd sulk, struggle and wiggle but I doubt if she'd bite to get loose.

Being a mutt, she's not likely to be stolen like the dogs with monetary value. Just the thought of losing her makes me anxious to think about.:(

[Danielle]

While I agree that the spay/neuter act may not be fully enforceable, I do agree that it is a step in the right direction.

Regardless of what bill is passed, may it be a law against having whole animals or a law that states its illegal to speed, there will always be the ppl that break that law. But it is a good step and should be encouraged. Nothing happens overnight, but down the track I think you will find it will make a difference. Hopefully. :)

In regards to animal theft, well, my dogs are kept so closely under lock and key that it would be near impossible for someone to steal them. Good luck to anyone trying to take Abbi, they may be able to take her but they would most probably lose an arm or a leg in the process! Hehehe! :D

Go the Australian Cattle Dogs! Ruff! Ruff!

[Momto3]

I'm in Florida and I want to say I like this proposition. There's just too many in shelters here. As for enforcement, in this county there are sweeps frequently to check for tags and proper confinement/care which has cracked down/closed down NUMEROUS BYBs in the past year. There's hardly a week that goes by that enforcement people don't have another sad story of dogs piled in cages in a hot garage or living knee-deep in poop in a mobile home. Responsible breeders won't mind getting the proper certification. My ex-brother-in-law might not qualify so maybe he won't be able to keep on selling Pit-wa-wa's! That's a chihuahua/Pit Bull mix and he got good money for them! Course it won't stop my neighbor from bringing in mass-produced pups from Georgia and selling them outta his backyard shed... Hey - HE'S got a brand new car - mine's five years old! Maybe I'M doing something wrong?!

[CerbiesMom]

I think Brigit would leave with anyone who'd take her. LOL. Cerb wouldn't, he'd not run up to someone he didn't know without me. And MAx would be way too scared, and would probably pee on someone if they grabbed him.

[Jr_K9_Expert]

Now it also begs the question, if there are fewer available animals due to sterilization laws and restrictive breeding, would that increase the risk of pet theft? I think yes. But I also think that that day is long off. Still scary though.

Actually thats what I was starting to think too. I really hope that it wouldn't increase dog theft. You know, I'm thinking that the reason why these theives won't just go to a shelter and adopt then sell is because they might find it tedious and in a sick and twisted way...they probably like making other people suffer...:mad: