Mandatory Spay Neuter Law Proposed (Kentucky)

Mandatory Spay Neuter Law Proposed
Wednesday, Mar 12, 2008 - 12:23 PM Updated: 12:45 PM
By Michelle Rauch
E-mail | Biography

Lawmakers in Frankfort talked about the attention grabbing headlines of the animal abuse and neglect case in Jackson County during an agriculture committee hearing Wednesday morning.

State Representative Rick Rand described what he saw on the new as "a horrific story. Those are horrific situations none of us want to be a part of."

The cruelty case bolstered the argument at the Capital that the state needs a mandatory spay-neuter law. House Bill 39 would require all cats and dogs who are adopted from a shelter or rescue organization to be fixed. Purebred dog breeders would be exempt.

Thirty states already have mandatory spay-neuter laws on the books. It's an attempt to control the number of unwanted animals who are produced every year. Lawmakers learned the alarming numbers behind the problem. They learned that one female dog and all of her offspring can produce an estimated 67-thousand puppies in just six short years. One cat and her offspring can create more than 420-thousand kittens in about the same amount of time.

The bill passed through committee with unanimous support. But there was one criticism.
Some people worry if it is passed, the law won't have enough teeth since it does not include mandatory enforcement with repercussions.

Anyone who would adopt an animal would have to sign a written agreement that they would have the animal fixed within 30 days. But they would be on the honor system to get it done.

http://www.wtvq.com/midatlantic/tvq/news.apx.-content-articles-TVQ-2008-03-12-0004.html