FW: [doglegislation] AZ Alert !

Re: Mandatory Spay/Neuter

PLEASE TAKE THE TIME AND MAKE THE CALL! The future of your dogs depends on it!
The "highlights" include mandatory spay/neuter of the only allowed
unaltered female allowed per residence except by unspecified standards that will be similar to the Los Angeles County and Sacramento County ordinances, one litter per year only based on commercial breeder standards, specific duties of care, reduced limits for small animals and requirements for keeping small animals and livestock and more. The proposal was developed by the Animal
Advisory Commission, hand-picked by the Director not including any fanciers who applied. Like last year's San Francisco Mayor's Working Group, the term "best practices" has been slapped on this proposal to legitimize unusual and most extreme provisions found in other jurisdictions."
HB 2516 will:
Prohibit a person from owning or keeping a dog or cat that is more than six months old if the animal has not been spayed or neutered, unless the person qualifies for and purchases an intact permit.

Points to Consider:
• Mandatory spay/neuter is an ineffective solution to animal control problems because it fails to address the heart of the issue—irresponsible ownership. Mandatory spay/neuter laws are extremely difficult to enforce and can be evaded by irresponsible animal owners by not licensing their pets. More regulations increase the workload of already financially strained animal control offices, making it even more difficult for them to perform their duties.
• Spay/neuter requirements target all owners regardless of their actions and would restrict the many responsible breeders who raise and breed purebred dogs for their enjoyment of the sport. These breeders make a serious commitment to their animals, not to make a profit, but instead with the intention of promoting the sport of purebred dogs and improving the individual breeds.
Strongly enforced animal control laws (such as leash laws), and increased public education efforts are better ways to address the issue of irresponsible dog ownership. A public education campaign would help teach community residents about how to properly care for their pets, as well as the need to be a responsible pet owner.
Please write or call the following House of Representatives as it is THEY who will vote on any proposal.
Points to Consider:
• Mandatory spay/neuter is an ineffective solution to animal control problems because it fails to address the heart of the issue—irresponsible ownership. Mandatory spay/neuter laws are extremely difficult to enforce and can be evaded by irresponsible animal owners by not licensing their pets. More regulations increase the workload of already financially strained animal control offices, making it even more difficult for them to perform their duties.
• Spay/neuter requirements target all owners regardless of their actions and would restrict the many responsible breeders who raise and breed purebred dogs for their enjoyment of the sport. These breeders make a serious commitment to their animals, not to make a profit, but instead with the intention of promoting the sport of purebred dogs and improving the individual breeds.
Strongly enforced animal control laws (such as leash laws), and increased public education efforts are better ways to address the issue of irresponsible dog ownership. A public education campaign would help teach community residents about how to properly care for their pets, as well as the need to be a responsible pet owner.


Opposition to a Mandatory Spay/Neuter Ordinance:

* MS/N is unenforceable.

* MS/N doesn't address our animal problems in low income areas.

* MS/N targets responsible pet owners instead of irresponsible pet owners.

* MS/N is unenforceable without door-to-door enforcement which is costly.

* MS/N is not acceptable -- even with exemptions for any reason.

* MS/N means genocide with every dog (male and female) altered.

* MS/N is an Animal Rights Agenda to end all use, breeding and ownership of animals.

* MS/N is a "pet" issue, not a breeder issue.