Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa signed a tough spay-neuter bill into law on Tuesday, making Los Angeles the largest municipality in the United States to require the sterilization of most domestic pets. The ordinance passed the Los Angeles City Council by a vote of 14-1 two weeks ago.From the official City Hall press release (pdf):
Mad Professah is a strong supprter of this bill, as well as the statewide version, The California Healthy Pets Act (AB 1634) by Assemblyman Lloyd Levine. Both my dogs (Dezmond, left, Leenah, right) are neutered."By requiring that all cats and dogs be spayed or neutered, we can help to
humanely decrease the number of pets abandoned and euthanized each year,"
said Mayor Villaraigosa. "This ordinance, which contains clear guidelines and
enforceable penalties, creates a valuable tool to take this city another step closer
toward eliminating the unnecessary euthanasia of animals."
The Spay/Neuter Ordinance will require all pet owners in the City of Los Angeles
to have their cats and dogs (four months of age and older) spayed or neutered,
unless otherwise exempted because the animal competes, serves as a rescue or
service animal, or unless the pet is a registered breeder. Any person violating the
spay/neuter law will be cited, and could be subject to up to a $500 dollar fine or 40
hours of community service.[...]
“As with so many important accomplishments, this Spay/Neuter law is not the end
of the story, but rather just the beginning,” said Mayor Villaraigosa. “We will
continue to lead the effort by getting our dogs and cats spayed and neutered,
licensed and permitted, and saving more animals’ lives.”
The new Spay/Neuter law will take effect in April.
