The first reading of a proposed ordinance that would mandate the
spaying or neutering of pit bulls and Chihuahuas in Hollister
brought out critics who claim the mandates would be too restrictive
and subjective.
The first reading of a proposed ordinance that would mandate the spaying or neutering of pit bulls and Chihuahuas in Hollister brought out critics who claim the mandates would be too restrictive and subjective.
The ordinance, if adopted at the Aug. 16 City Council meeting, would require that owners of pure bred and mixed-breed pit bulls and Chihuahuas have their pets surgically altered within 30 days of obtaining them. City officials say the ordinance is necessary because of an increase in attacks by pit bulls and a spike in the number of un-adoptable stray dogs that must be euthanized.
“There has been a proliferation of these two breeds of dogs in terms of Animal Control’s contact with them,” said City Attorney Stephanie Atigh.
In 2008 and 2009, pit bulls constituted 91 percent of dogs determined to be dangerous based on municipal code criteria. Chihuahuas, on the other hand, made up 23 percent of the dogs requiring the services of Hollister’s Animal Control and for the first time in 20 years the facility has had to euthanize this type of un-adopted stray or abandoned dog.
Unaltered dogs are more likely to bite humans and other animals than altered dogs, according to a staff report.
“Restricting the maintenance and breeding of intact (unaltered) pit bulls and Chihuahuas and requiring the spaying and neutering of pit bull and Chihuahua breeds will not prevent responsible pet owners and pet breeders from owing, breeding or showing” the animals, the report states.
Local resident Kathy Gotschall, president of the Golden State American Stafordshire Terrier Club, said Hollister has “always been known as a dog-friendly town,” though she believes this ordinance changes that.
See the full story in the PInnacle on Friday.
