Hollister may mandate spaying or neutering of pit bulls,
Chihuahuas
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.
Hollister may mandate spaying or neutering of pit bulls, Chihuahuas
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.
“We agree that animals that get aggressive around humans should be destroyed,” she said. “But mandatory spay and neutering doesn’t work. I really don’t think our dogs are a problem in the county. This is an owner care issue.”
Under the proposed ordinance, owners of pit bulls and Chihuahuas could avoid having their animal altered by applying for an unaltered restricted dog license.
To do this, they must prove that their dog has participated in at least one approved dog show during the previous year or that the dog will be participating in such a show.
Dogs must also be evaluated on such factors such as lineage, temperament and health and owners must prove that they have suitable space in which to raise puppies.
The ordinance would limit licensed restricted dogs to one litter per 12-month period. Penalties for violation of the ordinance include criminal prosecution, impoundment and mandated spaying or neutering of the animal, recovery of cost for impoundment, and confiscation of puppies.
Hollister dog breeder Karen Haugland said the ordinance would “subject dogs to unnecessary euthanization” by declaring them as dangerous. She also asked if the city was prepared to pay $80 per DNA test to confirm the breed of some mixes.
“We can all agree that we have too many dogs in the shelter and too many being euthanized,” she said, adding that offering low-cost spay or neutering clinics could be a prudent alternative to the ordinance.
Nancy Hielmstead of Gilroy, a dog trainer and member of the Gavilan Kennel Club, told the council members that they would be “hurting a lot of good dogs and dog owners when you subject them to mandates. The amount of paperwork alone would be staggering and costly.”
Show breeder Carol Ross of San Juan Bautista said “safety is the issue and education is the answer” when it comes to dealing with dangerous dogs. She suggested having stiff fines for dog bites without having the mandatory spay and neutering program.
“Be harsh, punish severely,” she said, suggesting that a committee be formed to study alternatives to the plan.
Atigh said that since a similar ordinance was adopted in San Francisco in 2005, there has been one-third fewer impounds and a 47 percent reduction in the amount of pit bulls euthanized.
“The thrust of this ordinance is to protect dogs from having to be euthanized,” she said. “The few times I’ve been to the shelter, all that’s been there are Chihuahuas and pit bulls.”
The ordinance is expected to come back before the council for adoption on Aug. 16.
