Mandatory Spay/Neuter of Chihuahuas and “Pit Bulls” Returns to Hollister City Council
The Hollister City Council will consider an ordinance at their meeting October 18th that mandates the sterilization of “pit bulls” and Chihuahuas unless the owner qualifies for and purchases an “unaltered dog certification”. If you are unable to attend the meeting, please take the time to call or send a polite email to the mayor and council members opposing this ordinance.
Hollister City Council Meeting
Monday, October 18th
6:30 pm
City Council Chambers
375 Fifth Street
Hollister, CA
Unlike many breed-specific ordinances which are driven by an attempt to improve public safety, the Hollister City Council is primarily concerned with the number of dogs of these breeds in the city shelter. Mandatory spay/neuter is an ineffective solution to animal control issues as they negatively impact responsible owners and breeders and can be avoided by irresponsible owners who choose not to license their pets.
Provisions of the Ordinance
· Sterilization requirement for all long and short haired Chihuahuas and “pit bulls,” defined as Bull Terriers, Miniature Bull Terriers, American Pit Bull Terriers, American Staffordshire Terriers, Staffordshire Bull Terriers, or any dog that exhibits physical traits of the above breeds. The owner must purchase an unaltered dog certification in order to be exempt.
· To obtain a certification of an unaltered restricted dog, the owner must have the dog examined annually by a licensed veterinarian and comply with specified housing and care regulations. As the ordinance does not specifically stipulate an inspection, it is unclear how the housing and care section will be administered and enforced.
· Restricted unaltered dogs will only be permitted to whelp one litter per year unless the owner provides a written statement from a veterinarian prior to the breeding recommending that the dog be allowed to have an additional litter.
· Owners of restricted unaltered dogs must pay a one-time registration fee, but the amount of the fee is not stipulated in the ordinance, meaning that this fee could be prohibitively expensive.
What You Can Do
· Attend the Hollister City Council meeting and speak in opposition to this measure.
· Call or email the mayor and city council members and politely ask them to oppose this ordinance.
Hollister City Council Contact Information
Mayor Victor Gomez
(831) 245-6446
victor.gomez@hollister.ca.gov
Vice Mayor Pauline Valdivia
(831) 637-9275
jantano@aol.com
Councilman Ray Friend
(831) 419-1984
rmfriend3@yahoo.com
Councilman Doug Emerson
(831) 637-8399
dae11dae@pacbell.net
Councilwoman Eugenia Sanchez
(831) 801-9057
es@eugeniasanchez.com
-----
Robert
www.TheAnimalLawyer.com
