Staffordshire Terrier Club of America - Legislative Committee

Bill Name: SB554
State: Alabama
Date of Proposal: 4/2/09

A bill recently proposed in Alabama seeks to implement a statewide mandatory spay/neuter policy for all dog over the age of six months. Similar in design to California’s AB1634, SB554 would:

• Make it illegal to own an intact dog over the age of 6 months, unless the dog met a certain set of requirements for exemption such as:
  • The dog is actively showing or competing and has competed in at least one show or sporting competition hosted by or under the approval of a recognized registry within the last two years
  • The dog is a puppy in training for such shows and competitions.
  • The dog is trained or in training for use in law enforcement, military, or rescue activities, or has been titled in the past in a sport
  • The dog has a note from a veterinarian specifying health reasons why it cannot be altered.
• Subject those owners found to be in violation to $50-$100 fines
• Result in forced mandatory sterilization of dogs found to be in violation upon a 3rd offense

Please contact your STCA Legislative Liaison to find out how you can help.

Riverside California

The Board of Supervisors in Riverside, CA is proposing a mandatory spay/neuter and microchip ordinance. The plan is to sterilize any dogs who are picked up running at large, that are unlicensed, that bite, or otherwise violate a state or local law. All dogs and cats in the county would HAVE to be micro chipped.

http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_S_spay16.387cb35.html

There was a hearing on Tuesday, 12/17 and the room was filled with animal rights groups who talked about why this would be good for animals. There were very few breeders in attendance and few spoke in opposition.

There will be another hearing on January 12, 2009 at 9:30 am at Board chambers, 4080 Lemon St., Riverside