Commissioners enact tougher pet laws, FL WPB

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/localnews/content/local_news/epaper/2008/02/05/0205spay.html

Commissioners enact tougher pet laws
By HECTOR FLORIN
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
WEST PALM BEACH — County commissioners formally enacted stronger dog and cat breeder laws this afternoon after hearing from an impassioned public.
By a 5-1 vote, commissioners passed an ordinance that penalizes dog breeders who do not register with the county. Dog and cats must be spayed or neutered if they don't pay for the unaltered tag. Hobby breeders are limited to breeding no more than two litters in one year.
Supporters and opponents of the county's plan to strengthen dog and cat breeder laws filled county commission chambers this afternoon to near-capacity.
By 4:30 p.m., more than 50 people had spoke before the commission about the issue. The majority were against the proposed regulations.
Commissioners gave initial support to the new laws last month by a 6-1 vote, with Bob Kanjian in opposition.
Kanjian again opposed the measure today.
"I think our county can do better than this ordinance," he said. "I don't think it's fair for us to just sit back and say, 'This is a start'."
County Animal Care and Control Division Director Dianne Sauve has argued that tougher breeder rules will help stem the county's pet overpopulation problem. The proposed rules will require all residents to spay or neuter their pets, unless they pay for a more expensive license and sign an affidavit agreeing not to breed the animals.
Breeder groups have said the law unfairly targets them, the responsible pet owners.
For about two hours, applause showered on those speaking for and against the county's proposal inside the packed county commission chambers.
Some opponents are waving yellow signs that read "Bad Ordinance," and are wearing red ribbons that say, "I own a dog. I vote."
Diane Albers, president of the Florida Association of Kennel Clubs, drove from Lake Mary to West Palm Beach for the meeting.
"This law that they are adopting has already failed everywhere in our country," Albers said in a brief interview in the county commission chambers. "It will drive euthanasias up. It will divide your community. It will divide neighbor against neighbor. The licensing will go down."
Supporters argued something must be done to drive down the pet overpopulation numbers, while breeders would still be allowed to do business.
"The breeders can still get a permit" and can be grandfathered in for free, if they sign up within 90 days of the law passing, said Wendy Duncan, a West Palm Beach resident who owns five mixed-breed dogs. "Like any law, if you follow it, you won't have any problems."
Lorraine Kassarjian owns Jupiter Home Veterinary Service and even supported the county ordinance whose early version made spaying and neutering of cats and dogs mandatory.
"I have many clients who breed their animals indiscriminately," she said.
Marie Zwicker, who splits her time between Palm Beach County and Maine, has worked with animal shelter groups in both locations.
"Other businesses are required to have licensing fees, so why not the breeders?" Zwicker said. "This is not an issue of an owner's rights. It is an issue of animals' rights to have a life. Owning an animal is not a person's right. It is not a constitutional right."
West Palm Beach resident Shirley Cantelo, owner of seven dogs, said the proposed ordinance is targeting the wrong group.
"It's going to hurt reputable breeders and I think there is a difference between reputable breeders and backyard breeders," said Cantelo, who said she doesn't breed dogs and owns three rescue dogs.

Judy BSLWorkshop-RDOWS
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