Hollister City Council members on Monday night put off an idea
to require spaying and neutering of two breeds, Chihuahuas and pit
bulls. Council members took the advice of City Attorney Stephanie
Atigh to delay a decision on the proposed ordinance until next
month, at a meeting set for Sept. 20.
Hollister City Council members on Monday night put off an idea to require spaying and neutering of two breeds, Chihuahuas and pit bulls.
Council members took the advice of City Attorney Stephanie Atigh to delay a decision on the proposed ordinance until next month, at a meeting set for Sept. 20.
City staff plans from here to sit down with several groups that have expressed opposition to the idea. Atigh also noted how she expects to revise the proposed ordinance at it stands through talks with animal control officials.
The ordinance 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.
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.
“I think it’s a good idea,” Mayor Victor Gomez said, “for staff to sit down with those members of the public with alternate ideas.”
Gomez also said he wants to see “solutions” as long “as it’s not a group of animal lovers yelling at staff.”
Councilman Doug Emerson stressed how he hopes residents favoring the ordinance will speak out, too.
Several speakers talked in opposition.
Look for more in the Pinnacle.
