$500 fine for not spaying or neutering your dogs?

Question

In CA there is a bill going through legislature to impose a fine to anyone who does not get their dog "fixed," with service dogs, police dogs, and breeders exempt. Thats bull!!! I don't need to be a professional breeder to be able to breed my dog. I only want to breed her once, so why should I have to pay $500 if I don't get her fixed? Can they really do this?

People "like me?" I didn't know there were other people just like me. I'm not in it for the money, you idiot, I'm in it to breed my pure bred with another pure bred and hopefully get people interested in adopting dogs. I'm not planning to sell the dogs, I'm planning to give them away to people who need or want a dog. Don't group me into a category you obvioulsy know nothing about.

Also, it's ridiculous that a pure bred dog costs around $1,000. People should be able to get a pure bred for a lot cheaper than that, possibly even for free. What's wrong with that? Nothing unless you're so ignorant as to believe that only professional breeders are capable of carrying on blood lines.

If I'm adding to the dogs on death row in shelters, then why are breeders allowed to continue to bring new litters into the world? If there truely is an overpopulation, then all breeding should stop. I've done the research, and I know exactly what it takes to breed successfully. I'm not an idiot, but you people who are complaining that there are already too many dogs should try getting the breeders to get more dogs adopted, and stop trying to make a living and turn a profit from selling puppies at an outrageous price. And don't slam me for wanting to do for my dog what comes naturally.

Answer 1

I plan on breeding my pure bred with my sisters pure bred...I've already had dozens of people ask me for one of her pups. It's crazy how pet stores and some breeders ask over a grand for these puppies....no wonder they end up in shelters!!! Who wants to buy a puppy at a pet store anyway? Those dogs are almost always sick and VERY hard to housebreak. And no I wouldn't just be trying to make a buck...and for people to assume that is extremely presumtious. There has to be another way for the government to regulate responsible breeding...an altimatum/dictatorship is not the answer.

Answer 2

Actually the insidious part is that working service, police and similar dogs are exempt BUT pups must be neutered/spayed at 4 months and there is no such thing as a 4 month old working service dog -so this generation ages out there will be none....
Yes the bill is in fact aimed at backyard breeders - what it will take out of business is the responsible hobby breeders. CA will become populated with puppy mill dogs (23 puppymillers attended yesterdays meeting supporting the bill - wonder why)- notoriously hard to housebreak, unsocialized, poor genetic health or the offspring of feral animals - even less socialized and pound turn in will rise (It happened on the local level)
The real problem is less overpopulation as its owner retention.

Voelven: there are NOT a lot of puppies in the pounds- there are kittens mostly from feral cats. The pound population is mostly adults disposed of because people cant/won't train dogs. The Humane groups have their own myths which they won't let go of and as stated severl group aim at the extinciton of the dog and cat.

Answer 3

Well, I suppose they can.

I'm not much for such legislatures either. The whole spaying/castration issue is not unproblematic. In Denmark, it's not standard to spay/castrate your dog and I would be upset to be forced to do so if it wasn't for health or temperamental/mental reasons.

However, Denmark doesn't have a huge problem with unwanted puppies, and I'm guessing that there is a need in CA for this bill for it to have been written in the first place. If puppies are produced indiscriminately or if people are just letting their dogs breed as they please, such a bill will be a quick way to cut down on the number of dogs waiting for new homes in the shelters.

As for paying 1000 USD for a purebreed dog, I find it reasonable. A serious breeder will have had the adult dogs tested for HD, AA etc. They will have been shown, trained and socialized, will have had all their shots - plus the breeding itself, having the puppies checked by the vet, chipped and registered, all of this costs money.

26.04.07: Ragapple, I wasn't aware of that. In that case it would seem that educating the public could also play a big role in controlling the problem. In my experience, though, serious breeders are more critical about who they sell their puppies too. I'm looking to get a pup in 2008 and I had to answer a list of questions before I was put on the waiting list of the kennel I'd like to get my dog from - same thing happened with my first dog.

Answer 4

A moratorium on breeding was imposed in one CA county. It left the market wide open for puppy mill dogs...they took over the newspaper adds and that is now where the residents of that county get their dogs..It made the puppy mills in Central CA flourish!
The other problem with the bill is the qualifications of being a breeder...
The other problem, is that when it is against the law to breed dogs, then only the law breakers will do it..
The only thing that will really work is education! Beginning in the very young years.

If you would like to read more about that bill, it is here> http://www.bigpawsonly.com/california-bill-ab-1634-spay-neuter-law-features.htm

2. The exemptions are poorly thought out. Large breeds don't mature until about 3 years of age. Some don't even begin their show careers until after 3 years of age. The bill requires finishing by 2 years of age .
.(Genetic testing is done at 2 years of age!)
Yet, the dog is only exempt if he/she has a championship title by 2 years of age! I can see a political MESS in the already too political show ring..

Edit: When an area chooses BSL, pit bulls are dumped by the dozens, mostly left as strays on the street..You can't even imagine what torments the poor dogs go through..People who feel they can't afford to spay/neuter or that its just too much trouble.(can't take 2 days off work, etc) .will be dumping their dogs right and left..Its gonna be a nightmare..
If the CURRENT laws were enforced, the problem would be solved.

Answer 5

If the bill passes then they most certainly can.

It's about damn time that they tried to enforce stricter laws against backyard breeders as well. I'm sick of seeing how many animals get abused and euthanized in this country because of irresponsibility.

I just read the proposed legislation and I agree with it even more now. It simply requires that you provide proper documentation and obtain a license if the dog is not to be spayed/neutered for breeding purposes.

Also - all of the fines collected from the program, will be recycled in order to spay/neuter pets for low-income families and programs, which I think is a pretty neat idea.
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Genetic disorders caused from improper breeding include:
Deafness
Epilepsy
Cataracts
Eye lesions
Retinal degeneration
Glaucoma
Hip dysplasia
Retardation
Personality disorders such as excessive aggression
Dislocated kneecaps
Periodontal disease
Mammary tumors

PS - I never mentioned or accused anyone of anything. I simply stated my opinion on the bill and how I felt towards puppy mills.
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Shiver: They also just recently passed legislation that now makes dog/c0ck fighting a federal offense punishable by stronger laws and more jail time.

They're already cracking down on dog fighting rings. You can find out about it here: http://www.hsus.org/legislation_laws/federal_legislation/cruelty_issues/animal_fighting_bill_forward.html

Answer 6

I agree with the fine, the shelters are already full of unwanted dogs. If your only going to breed you dog once, do you intend on having all the health test done? I doubt it, if you are planning on giving them away. If you are genuinely interested in getting people to adopt dogs/puppies why not join a rescue group that foster dogs on deaths row.
A lot of people think it would be fun or cute to have a litter of puppies, it's not as simple as putting 2 dogs together. Breeders put a lot of research into genetics & what health issues affect the breed they have. They pay hundreds of dollars having parents, grand parents tested for these health problems, it costs them a hell of a lot more than $500 before putting a litter on the ground. I don't hear them complaining.
To be complaining about $500 you obviously haven't looked into how much it is going to cost you to whelp and raise a litter, I suggest you do this before you go any further.
Do you realize the people you will attract giving your pups away, if not screened properly your pups will be the ones waiting on deaths row by the time they are 9months old. Go to a shelter and tell me is that where you want your puppies to end up??

Answer 7

I think what people are saying is, breeding SHOULD be left only to professional breeders.

Yes of course the breeding of animals can't be outlawed completely - although if it was for a year or two, that would definitely cut down on the overpopulation!

I'm in favour of this legislation. Yes, there are people who ARE capable of breeding dogs in a responsible manner but are nonetheless not 'professionals' - but sadly, the majority of people just let their dogs have puppies without the slightest clue of how to look after them. This bill will help put a stop to that. It will also save many, many pets from the almost inevitable health problems that come with being entire into old age, and hopefully result in a lot more healthy, happy pets.

I know you want to breed your dog - but tough I'm afraid, you're going to have to think of the bigger picture! Your area must've reached crisis point in the overpopulation for this legislation to come in to force.

Chalice

Answer 8

I agree with the fact there are so many unwanted dogs in shelter and the dog population just seems to keep growing. I wanted a dog a few years ago and decided to go online and search different animal shelters for a dog that would be able to come home with me. I filled out applications and then let them know the dog I was interrested in getting to know, to see whether or not she was the right dog for me. All these experts on what type of breed a mixed dog is. Some of the dogs look like total opposite of what they say they are mixed with. Anyways I went back a few times and by this time the dog I was interrested in, had just been spayed. They turned down my application because they said she was a terrier mix and that I had no experience with the terrier breed. Well now I have 2 miniature pinschers and they are classified as a terrier. After time and time again, I decided to go to a proffessional breeder. My male min pin is 2 and I have had him since he was 11 weeks old. My female minpin I got in September of 2006. Before I got my minpins, I rescued a puppy from a back yard breeder that lived down the road from my mom. When I got her home, she was sick, after a couple of weeks and a vet bill she got well. I had brought home a puppy with parvo. My puppy that had parvo is now 3 years old. She was about 6 - 7 weeks old when I brought her home. Some people appreciate and enjoy their pets. I have become friends with the breeder I got my female minpin from. My female just recently had puppies. They are 2 weeks old now and thriving. I have found good homes for each one. They wouldn't just go to anyone. The breeder I was talking about, she is getting one. Maybe in another year or two, I will get another dog. They are my life and they make me happy to be able to see them each and every day and they are happy to see me too. I agree that it is a good idea about the bill and it would do some good for all those back yard breeder that are just out to make a quick buck.

Answer 9

Well i know that in australia, to register an undesexed dog costs about twice as much as a desexed dog. I personally think its a good idea, less accidental puppies, less stray dogs born stray(most stray dogs had owners at some time), registered breeders pay all sort of fees and bills, so why shouldnt the average back yard breeder. You think your reponsible enough to breed your dog, pay the fine then after the litter, have her spayed, if its a yearly fine with renewal of registration it could be expensive.

Answer 10

State laws can do darn near anything, however, I happen to agree with them on this notion. There are animals destroyed every year at shelters from backyard breeding done wrong. I am not saying that you would be a bad breeder, but I do think this type of legislation would be a step in the right direction for eliminating bad breeders. It won't get rid of them though, criminals will still make fighting and bait dogs, but it will limit the number of unwanted animals some.