July 8, 2007
_________

San Diego Union Tribune
Veterinarians desert sterilization bill
Group says legislation leaves issues unresolved
By Michael Gardner
COPLEY NEWS SERVICE
July 6, 2007
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20070706-9999-1n6spay.html

SACRAMENTO - The state's biggest veterinary group withdrew its endorsement
this week of legislation that would require most owners to spay or neuter
their dogs and cats, dealing the bill a serious blow.

The measure has triggered passionate debate across California but still
enjoys strong support from many animal rights groups, Society for the
Prevention
of Cruelty to Animals workers, local government officials and celebrities
such as Bob Barker, the just-retired star of "The Price Is Right" game
show.

Barker is scheduled to be in Sacramento on Monday to help drum up enough
support to persuade a wary Senate Local Government Committee to keep the
bill alive when it is taken up on Wednesday.

The five-member panel is made up of three Democrats, including Sen.
Christine Kehoe of San Diego, and two Republicans. Kehoe carried successful
legislation last year aimed at cracking down on puppy mills. However, she
has not taken a position on the sterilization measure, AB 1634.

Supporters were uncertain which way the committee members would go, even
before the California Veterinary Medical Association changed its position.

"We're not giving up on them," said Laguna Beach activist Judie Mancuso,
who has spearheaded the campaign.

The legislation cleared the Assembly last month without a vote to spare -
and only after last-minute lobbying by Barker.

The highly regarded veterinary association's move to a neutral corner
reflects the group's deep divisions over the bill.

"There are several issues that remain unresolved and we continue to hear
from our member veterinarians that these components, dealing largely with
breeding restrictions, continue to be a problem," the association wrote
this week in a letter to Assemblyman Lloyd Levine, D-Sherman Oaks, who is
carrying the bill. Levine couldn't be reached for comment yesterday.

Jean Spengel, who owns a clinic in La Jolla, is one of those veterinarians.

"While at first glance this bill may seem like a great idea, its reality is
different," Spengel and several others said in an earlier joint missive
aimed
at rallying opposition.

"It does not address the true sources of pet overpopulation, violates the
rights of responsible pet owners ... and is unenforceable," said the group,
which is not actively opposing the bill.

The association continues to advocate the spaying and neutering of cats and
dogs "to reduce the needless suffering and killing of unwanted animals in
shelters."

Supporters of the bill make that same point in one of their key arguments.
They note that nearly 500,000 strays are euthanized every year in
California
at a cost of close to $300 million to local governments.

Opponents say the measure will create an underground network of illicit
breeders and burden otherwise law-abiding pet owners.

Mancuso said the measure still stands a "good chance" of moving forward.
She said the veterinarian group's new position is not going to "make or
break" the bill. "People are going to vote (based) on other issues," she
said.

Mancuso said supporters are launching a counteroffensive, including
flooding lawmakers with calls and letters from influential community
leaders, including mayors and county supervisors.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has a cockapoo named Sarge and a yellow
Labrador named Spunky, has not taken a position on the legislation. His
aides have declined to disclose whether the animals are sterilized.

The measure exempts purebred breeders. Language has been inserted to ensure
that restrictions would not affect service animals, police dogs, working
ranch animals or dogs that compete in agility tests. Families also could
obtain permits so one male and one female could have a single litter each.

Under the bill, owners of dogs and cats would have to spay or neuter pets
older than 6 months starting April 1, 2008. A $500 fine for failing to do
so
would be treated like a traffic fix-it ticket, allowing owners a chance to
sterilize their pet and avoid paying.