On one hand, this is really a great idea to control the overpopulation of companion animals. On the other, isn't it just a little like extortion?
Looking to reduce the stray dog and cat population overwhelming county facilities, county commissioners in a workshop meeting Tuesday supported a proposal to spay or neuter lost animals before returning them to owners. Those who object would have to pay $300 to get their animals back with reproductive systems intact.We all need to be more aggressive in drastically reducing the out-of-control pet population (I suggest, at minimum, a moratorium on breeding and quickly phasing out the sale of animals pet stores).
Commissioners stopped short of a proposal to require all dog and cat owners in the county to have their animals "fixed," but some said they would consider that in the future.
"I think we have a ... fundamental problem," commissioner Jeff Koons said. "We need to be much more aggressive."
I guess this measure would be a warning to not "lose" your animal. After all, why should you get a free ride on the county when you're an irresponsible guardian? Still, I wonder how legal this is. If animals are still considered property, doesn't taking someone's lost property and altering it constitute a violation of property rights? Not that I'm into considering animals property. I'm just saying I wouldn't be surprised by a rejection of this proposal on those grounds.
Categories: companion animals | pets | spay | neuter | shelters
