Mandatory spay/neuter — BAD idea
Written by Deb on March 10th, 2009Chicago’s city council is about to vote on a PETA/Humane Society of the United States backed ordinance requiring ALL dogs and cats be spayed or neutered by 6 months of age. This includes purebred dogs who are show or breeding prospects.
This takes away the rights of pet owners and also takes away the decision of what is best for a pet from both the owner and their pet’s veterinarian.
Don’t live in Chicago? You should still worry as once a bad law is passed somewhere it often spreads to adjoining cities/states.
Here are some good blog posts by Chicagoans about why this ordinance would not solve the problems that the proponents claim it would:
From WGN Radio: http://wgnradio.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=43910&Itemid=254
From the Chicago Tribune Editorial page:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/letters/chi-090310dale_briefs,0,3557678.story
Article on failed mandatory spay/neuter laws in other communities: http://saveourdogs.net/experience.html
To voice your opinion see this poll:
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-sterilize-pets-vote,0,7639119.poll
Yes, it should concern each and every one of us! Our rights to make decisions is being ripped away! Terrible!
That makes no sense at all. I think it’s appropriate for the shelters and humane societies to do that but talk about overkill.
Anita
Grr. The I-know-what’s-best-regardless-of-facts squad are at it again, with the same old lack of respect for accuracy or actual consequence. I hope someone in Chicago brings video from out here in California about how this idea is wrong-headed in various ways. Hope some tidal wave of sense prevails.
Cheers,
pete