Mandatory Spay/NeuterOrdinance

City Council meeting October 7, 2013

Overview

• Based on recommendations from the Pasadena Humane Society staff recommends:>Mandate adult cats/dogs over 4 months of age

be spayed/neutered.>Establish exceptions to the mandate.

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Risk Factors for Attacks

• For People:> Children are most at risk, especially those 12 and under.1

> Dogs in lower income neighborhoods were more likely to bite.2

• For Dogs:> Intact males represented 70-76% of reported dog bite

incidents.3,4

> Females with pups.1

> Some evidence to show biting dogs are more likely to be chained while in the yard.3

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1Golab GC. A community approach to dog bite prevention. AVMA. June 2001.2Schuler CM, DeBess EE, Lapidus JA, Hedberg K. Canine and human factors related to dog bite injuries. J Am Vet Med Assoc 2008; 232(4):542-5463Gershman KA, Sacks JJ, Wright JC. Which dogs bite? A case-control study of risk factors. Pediatrics 1994; 93: 913-9173Wright JC. Canine aggression toward people: bite scenarios and prevention. Vet Clin North Am Sm Ani Pract 1991; 2711(2): 299-314.

Spay/Neuter Benefits

• In addition to bite risk-reduction:• Sterilization of cats and dogs is an effective

means of population control. • Overpopulation of strays can lead to zoonotic

disease issues such as toxoplasmosis and murine typhus.

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Spay/Neuter Mandate

• Required for all cats/dogs over 4 months of age>Exceptions being:

Dogs which are unable to be spayed or neutered without a high likelihood of suffering serious bodily harm or death due to age or infirmity.

Dogs used by law enforcement agencies for law enforcement purposes.

Service or assistance dogs that assist disabled persons. Competition dogs and cats.

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Timeline

>June 17, 2013 recommendation on mandatory spay/neuter approved by Public Safety Committee

>July 8, 2013 City Council directs City Attorney to prepare an ordinance mandating the spay/neuter of cats and dogs, excluding those that meet exclusion criteria

>October 7, 2013 first reading of ordinance presented for Council consideration

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