From AKC: ACTION ALERT: New Orleans MSN Vote Scheduled for Thursday

http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=4001

[Monday, November 02, 2009]

The New Orleans City Council is scheduled to consider and vote on
Councilwoman Cynthia Hedge-Morrell’s mandatory spay/neuter proposal at
its regular meeting on Thursday, November 5th. The American Kennel Club
(AKC) strongly opposes this ordinance. It is imperative that all
concerned responsible dog breeders and owners in the New Orleans area
again contact the members of the New Orleans City Council and politely
yet strongly urge them to oppose this costly, ineffective, and
unenforceable proposal. The AKC also encourages all interested parties
to attend Thursday’s hearing to show a united front of opposition to the
proposal.

If enacted, the ordinance will:

* Require all dogs six months of age or older (with few exceptions)
to be spayed or neutered or force owners to purchase costly $50 breeder
permits to keep any dog intact.
* Limit female dogs from whelping more than one litter per year, or
whelping a litter if the female is younger than 18-months of age.
* Permit the Louisiana SPCA (LA/SPCA), which will be responsible
for enforcement of this ordinance, to determine whether or not an
applicant for a breeder license has "space determined to be
suitable...in which to breed dogs and raise puppies."
* Impose significant fines for those who are found to be in
violation of the ordinance, with the income from the fines to be used to
further finance the LA/SPCA’s animal control efforts.

AKC’S OFFICIAL POSITION: The American Kennel Club opposes mandatory
spay/neuter laws. Instead, we support reasonable and enforceable laws
that protect the welfare and health of purebred dogs and do not restrict
the rights of breeders and owners who take their responsibilities
seriously. Additionally, we strongly support and actively promote a wide
range of programs to educate the public about responsible breeding
practices and the responsibilities of dog ownership.

The American Kennel Club is joined by the American Society for the
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), the American Veterinary
Medical Association (AVMA), and the National Animal Interest Alliance
(NAIA) in opposing mandatory spay/neuter laws.

To view AKC’s full legislative alert on New Orleans’ MSN proposal,
including contact information and resources, please go to:
http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=4001.

For more information and the latest developments on the New Orleans
mandatory spay/neuter proposal, please contact AKC’s Government
Relations Department at (919) 816-3720, or e-mail doglaw@akc.org.