Measure on Strays Backed

About 1 million residents of unincorporated communities in Los Angeles County soon will be required to spay or neuter their dogs, as supervisors Tuesday initially approved a sweeping ordinance designed to control strays.

The new regulations also would require dog owners to have microchips implanted into their pets to help identify lost animals.

“There is a serious problem with overpopulation,” said Supervisor Mike Antonovich, bemoaning the thousands of animals that are put to death every year. “It’s a crime,” he said.

Last year, the county euthanized more than 18,000 dogs, according to the Animal Care and Control Department.

Supervisors, who unanimously backed the proposed ordinance, are expected to give it final approval when they reconvene in two weeks.

“It’s a done deal,” said Antonovich spokesman Tony Bell.

Antonovich, who for years has brought puppies to board meetings to try to find them homes, began pushing for stronger spay and neuter regulations in January amid a rash of dog attacks.

Initially, he talked about regulating Rottweilers and pit bulls, widely considered to be among the more dangerous breeds, but he expanded the proposed regulation amid complaints from owners of those types of dogs.

San Francisco and Denver, among other cities, have focused their regulations on pit bulls.

Los Angeles County’s proposed regulations would provide exemptions for show dogs owned by registered breeders and dogs that serve the disabled.

The county also would raise the registration fee for spayed and neutered dogs from $15 to $20 annually. License fees for others would double to $60.

Almost everywhere government has tried to enforce spaying and neutering policies, the effort has stirred public passions. Los Angeles County has proved no different.

Scores of supporters and opponents of the county plan descended on the county Hall of Administration to address supervisors.

And even before the regulations were adopted, the Seattle-based American Canine Foundation announced that it would sue the county over the new spay-neuter requirements.

The group complained that the restrictions would violate owners’ rights and do nothing to control the population of strays.