KEY POINTS:
The snarling sound in California these days is not coming from the hordes of stray mutts roaming big-city neighbourhoods but rather from dog owners furious with a proposed law that would force them to neuter their pooches before they reach 4 months old.
The so-called California Healthy Pets Act would make it illegal for anyone to own a dog or a cat older than four months that has not been spayed or neutered. A fine of US$500 ($655) would be levied on violators.
Though it has raised the hackles of dog owners, the measure has widespread support from animal cruelty groups, the state veterinarians association and many politicians.
Exceptions would only be available to professional breeders, owners of show dogs, those raising guide dogs for the blind and in cases where a vet says sterilisation could threaten an animal's health.
California is taking the highly controversial step because of an exploding population of stray, mixed-breed dogs in the state. It is estimated that as many as 500,000 dogs are put down because adoption centres cannot find homes for them - at a cost to taxpayers of about US$300 million ($392 million) annually.
The law would make the state "a national leader in the humane care for animals, and will save the state's taxpayers millions of their hard-earned dollars", said Judie Mancuso of the California Healthy Pets Coalition. It also has the backing of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. But a town meeting in Palo Alto erupted in anger as pet owners protested the bill, saying it would violate their rights, damage the dog show industry in California and would in the end be unenforceable.
Its opponents argue that the irresponsible dog owners who abandon their dogs in the first place would be the same people who would ignore the law. They also worry that owners from different states would stop attending shows in California out of fear that they might fall foul of the measure's provisions. As of now, there is no mention in the bill about consideration of dogs from other states attending the shows.
"I was born and raised here, but I will move if this law passes," vowed Kathryn Blink of San Carlos, whose dalmatian was deemed the best in the nation in 2004. The bill would require final signature by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger before becoming state law The law will be debated by legislators shortly.
"This crazy measure will end up costing families heartache and taxpayers billions," said Bill Hemby, chairman of PetPAC, a pet owners' rights group.
Set for the chop
* It is estimated that as many as 500,000 dogs are put down a year in California because adoption centres cannot find homes for them - at a cost to taxpayers of around US$300 million ($392 million).
* Under a proposed new law, dog owners would have to neuter their pets before they reach four months old.
* It would be illegal for anyone to own a dog or a cat older than four months that has not been spayed or neutered.
* Exceptions would be available only to professional breeders, owners of bona fide show dogs, those raising guide dogs and when it could threaten an animal's health.
- INDEPENDENT
