City to Consider a Policy on Spaying, Neutering

The City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to explore the feasibility of a mandatory policy of spaying and neutering dogs and cats to help alleviate the problem of animal overpopulation.

The Department of Animal Regulation was ordered to make a recommendation to the animal regulation board commissioners within 45 days. The report will outline the resources necessary to enforce a proposed ordinance and include an analysis of similar ordinances in other cities.

Commissioners will seek public comments on the proposal at hearings to be held in each of the animal shelter service areas.

“Van Nuys, Pacoima, Northridge, Reseda--they’ve been suffering loose-dog problems,” said Steven Afriat, president of the Board of Animal Regulation. “By controlling the breeding, you control the problem.”

Recent dog attacks have created safety problems throughout the city, with an estimated 44,000 stray, injured and vicious animals roaming the streets annually, officials said.

Failure of owners to spay and neuter their pets is cited as a direct cause of the proliferation of these unwanted animals, many of which end up in the city’s shelters, where 74% of them are euthanized, according to officials.

Among the suggested requirements would be mandatory spaying or neutering of cats and dogs 4 months of age or older. Pet owners seeking an exception, such as animal breeders, would be required to purchase a breeder’s license for a $100 fee.

Several cities already have such an ordinance, officials said, including San Mateo, which reported a 15% drop in the animal shelter population in the first year following enactment.