Calif. allows cities to force pit bull sterilization

S.F.California -- California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a law on Friday that allows cities to force the sterilization of potentially dangerous dog breeds such as pit bulls.

San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom had asked for a new law to allow greater city control over the animals following a series of fatal incidents, including a pit bull mauling in June of a 12-year-old San Francisco boy.

"This bill will make our streets and homes safer from aggressive dogs produced by irresponsible breeders and provide help to cities and counties with animal shelters that are overpopulated with dog breeds that people are afraid to adopt," said state Sen. Jackie Speier, the bill sponsor.

The measure repeals a previous law that prevented local governments from targeting specific breeds for mandatory sterilization.

In anticipation of the statewide law, a San Francisco city legislator has already proposed new local sterilization rules that could take effect next year.

The issue has generated thousands of angry communications from pit bull lovers, legislative aides say.

Pit bulls accounted for about a third of the more than 200 fatal dog attacks in the United States from 1979 to 1998, according to a study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

 

Arrrgh! Can't you guys see that your states will be next...Pretty soon they will be doing house to house searches and confiscating people's pets and euthanizing them, just like Denver, Colorado.
I am an advocate of spaying and neutering for all pet dogs and cats too for that matter.
Instead of Draconian measures against certain breeds of dogs, there should be stricter laws against animal abuse and stricter enforcement of leash laws in urban areas.

 

Laurajean, yes, we can see it and we hate it. Most of the regulars on this forum send e-mails and sign petitions on a weekly basis. We are doing all we can short of murder. What else can we do???? This country of ours is one step away from communism! A friend of mine the other day said her childhood pen pal lives in Russia and the Russians are just waiting for America to turn to communism. We all hate this but what else can we do?

 

Hmmm, snce I just joined this site, I am rather crummy at navigating it, please excuse my errors....I'll get up to speed with practice.
I, too, sign petitions and send e-mails...I am glad I found this site. it is very informative and I should thank you all and the moderators, founders, etc.
I suppose I am guilty of "preaching to the converted."
As a lifetime owner (since childhood) of various pitbulls (just street, mutty, pound rescue ones) I am really becoming involved in rescue and activism on their behalf. Lord knows they need the help! The two best dogs I've ever had were bully dogs. One my Mom got from a junkyard...and one I found in the dog pound.
Thanks to all you folks here doing your best for the dogs. I'm glad I found you.

 

And I notice, my typing isn't too good either...snce=since...lol

 

Yes, this sucks!! I train these dogs and this will alter what I do. I was hoping that it wouldn't have gone through, damn it. I might have to relocate.

 

is there any way to get this reversed.

 

They're trying to get it withdrawn on PBF:
http://www.pitbullforum.com/viewtopic.php?p=345646&highlight=#345646

 

how about an online petition. would that help?

 

hmm i jst cant imagine them coming to my door and putting my dog down with out them doing it to me first..... what kind of ignorant people enact these laws... wait wait its the ones we elect... well i used to want to live in california i can see thats not going to occour anytime soon.

 

Some lawyers will try and appeal this, don't worry. With the elections comng up next month, the "TERMINATOR", just might be on his way out. My unit will not be voting for him. I just e-mailed his office this morning and he won't be very happy with me. I told him, he better have read and understood what he read, before signing my rights away.

 

the thing is that this bill should have been voted on in the first place. i hate when these politicians think that they know what's best for us by taking a hot topic and tryin to use it to their political benefit. banning the breed was shot down. the viscious animals act was approved and everything was cool until a wave of these attacks happened. then with help fromm the media this turned into the hot topic and interest of these so called servants of the people. i think every law should be voted on by us the people if we're the ones that live with the consequences than we should have our fate in our hands.

 

I hear ya, but when it comes to hot topics, the government runs with it. California has been meesed up for a lomg time and we most likely, will not come out from under this mess any time soon. Especially since, I hear of an impeachment coming if, he gets in again. Lets hope for a better running mate. Then, we can call up for some debating on this issue.

 

The scary thing about having the people vote is you don't know how they would vote. There are very ignorant people out there who actually do believe the propaganda the media is spreading. My Mother and I were out shopping and I was picking up some kids clothing (for my dogs costume) and the lady said "oh, she must have little ones" and my Mom said no there for her other babies, American Pit Bull Terriers. The woman said "oh my, how do you get those dogs to like you?" AND SHE WAS SERIOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So we spend about 15 minutes trying to educate her, hopefully it took!

 

I Am Your Governah! So Do It Now! Comon Take My Hand! Asta Lavista ....baby!

 

yeah the govenator really has in a whole. we have shot down bsl here before. that's when the viscious animals act was passed. i believe it was working and the right thing to do. instead of this law that was passed they should have tightend up the viscious animals act and toughened up on owners penalties for their neglagence.

 

oh yeah and there's talk of a recall on the govenator. i know when davis was recalled some of the bills he passed were revoted on or overturned also. is this a standard practice?

 

Like I said, it most likely will come out ok. I work for the Los Angeles Sheiff Dept. and I use this breed in my line of work. I cannot work without my dogs. Regardless, I will stick up for everyone here and everywhere.

 

Well Thanks for your help

 

well i fell a little better. i went to the animal control department yesterday to get one of my dogs tagged ad was told by the officer there that he doesn't think that this will effect the area that i live in since our biggest problem with apbt's is them being strays. we haven't had an attack in a long while here and he says that there are a lot of responsible owners and backers here in town. but is still would like some recent statistice=s on temperments if anybody has them. just ion case there's a push at city hall.