Mandatory Neutering, Spaying of Pets Proposed
Councilman Mark Ridley-Thomas suggested Tuesday that the city establish a mandatory policy of spaying and neutering dogs and cats to reduce the public health and safety crisis from stray, injured and vicious dogs roaming the streets.
In his proposal, Ridley-Thomas asked that the city’s Department of Animal Regulation report on the feasibility of implementing a mandatory policy and how similar laws in other cities are faring. In addition, Ridley-Thomas suggested that public hearings be held in each of the animal shelter service areas of the city to solicit community input.
Overwhelmed by the numbers of stray dogs, the city’s shelters are 150% over capacity. Of these, 74% of the dogs are euthanized, and the others are adopted.
Ridley-Thomas said the city has fallen behind in tackling the pet overpopulation problem and that it has become common to see dogs menacing neighborhoods.
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