Mandating Spaying and Neutering

Arguments For and Against Making Pet Sterilization the Law

May 22, 2008

Some cities and counties have enacted mandatory spay/neuter laws, and many more have been proposed. Consider the issues around legislation of pets.

Animal lovers across the nation have stepped up to voice their opinions in blogs and forums about the benefits or consequences of making pet sterilization a law.

What's in the Law

It varies from region to region. Some, like Denver, have banned breeding altogether. Some require breeders to pay for a permit for each animal. Some limit the number of litters allowed per year. The fees vary, the age of the animal varies, but what's common to all legislation passed and proposed is the legal requirement that all dogs are spayed or neutered unless they fulfill the requirements for remaining "intact", and their owner has a permit for them.

The Issues

The arguments for and against mandatory spay/neuter laws range as widely as the laws themselves. For example, some people feel the legislation will cut down on agression in dogs, others wonder whether it's a breed-specific concern that's being addressed to dog population as a whole. However, central to all the law types and all discussion on blogs and in newspapers, lie two issues:

According to Spay USA, "In six years, one female dog and her offspring can theoretically produce 67,000 dogs." The HSUS estimates there are between 6 million and 8 million animals in shelters each year (number reflects both cats and dogs.)

Proponents for legislation say that it's necessary to stop unplanned or accidental breeding, and that reducing the number of litters will reduce the number of animals abandoned in shelters each year.

Opponents argue that across-the-board spay/neuter mandates do not address the cause of the problem, namely irresponsible owners, "backyard breeders", and "puppy mills." Its actual impact is on good breeders, who are conscientious about placing their puppies with responsible owners. The American Kennel Club, in a document against a 2007 California proposed law, says "Mandatory spay/neuter laws are extremely difficult to enforce and can be evaded by irresponsible animal owners by not licensing their pets."

According the HSUS website, there are an estimated 4-5 million animals euthanized each year (includes cats and dogs.) While there are many reasons animals are euthanized, including old age and terminal disease, no one argues that thousands of adoptable dogs are put to death.

Proponents argue that legislation, by reducing the number of unwanted pets, will result in fewer deaths of friendly dogs.

Opponents say the results are mixed. According to a 2006 document by Laura Allen for the Animal Law Coalition "After the effective date of the (1991 San Mateo, CA) ordinance, dog deaths in the areas governed by the ordinance, actually increased 126%..." The document states in regards to a Maryland county's law "Although the euthanasia rate declined 21.5% after the ordinance was passed, it had declined 34% prior to enactment of the law."

Common Goals

Regardless of which side participants in the argument support, they share the same goals. They all want to see the elimination of "puppy mills" and "backyard breeders" and to reduce the number of animals in the shelters. All hope for a "no-kill" future for their region. And, all agree that pets should be spayed or neutered.

Sources

The copyright of the article Mandating Spaying and Neutering in Dogs is owned by Jessica Bockman. Permission to republish Mandating Spaying and Neutering in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.