Debate over AB 1634 heats up

Assembly Bill 1634, also known as “The California Healthy Pets Act” has gained momentum as the Assembly Appropriations Committee passed this bill on a B roll call vote last week.

This bill mandates that if pet owners do not obtain a special intact permit, they must spay/neuter their canines and/or felines over four months of age. If pet owners do not comply, they will face a $500 fine. While Assembly member and author of this bill, Lloyd Levine (D-Van Nuys), remains steadfast in seeing this bill being passed by the full Assembly by June 8, heavy-hitter critics such as PetPAC and American Kennel Club are making their voices of oppositions heard loud and clear. These opposition groups are coining AB 1634 as “The Pet Extinction Act.”

“I am not only passionate about AB 1634, but I am passionate about animals in general,” said Levine. “I grew up appreciating and respecting animals. Levine claims the problem he is trying to solve is that nearly a million animals are entering California animal shelters each year, and 500,000 of those are being euthanized.

“It costs taxpayers over a quarter of a billion dollars just to care for, house and euthanize those animals,” said Levine. He also believes that AB 1634 will be effective in reducing taxpayer dollars and will lower the number of animals being euthanized

Regardless of the opposition, Levine asserts he has a long list of AB 1634 supporters. Some include animal control directors in California, the California Veterinary Medical Association, Humane Society, ASPCA, the Los Angeles Police Department, the Mayor of Los Angeles and a number of police departments around the state of California.

“The officers have to deal with the loose dogs on the streets,” he said.

Levine said for those who are opposing the bill, for fear of losing future K-9 work dogs, show dogs or breeding status, he advises they should thoroughly read AB 1634. He asserts there are intact exemption permits for police dogs, bomb sniffing dogs, search dogs, working dogs, service dogs, show dogs and breeders.

“We are continuing to refine that,” said Levine. “Those who are sincere in their opposition, come and work with us.”

Bill Hemby, a former police officer from San Francisco, is also the legislative advocate for the California Organization for Police and Sheriff’s (COPS), as well as the founder of PetPAC. Hemby opines that Levine is incorrect in regard to his claim that the LAPD and other police departments are in support of AB 1634.

“Mr. Levine is wrong, because most law enforcement organizations are vehemently opposed to this bill,” he said. Hemby said the following organizations are opposed to AB 1634 because it will eventually eliminate K-9 units, service dogs and working dogs: California Organization of Police and Sheriffs, California Association of Highway Patrolmen, North American Police Work Dog Association, United States Police Canine Association, Western States Police Canine Association, Canine Specialized Search Team, Guide Dogs for the Blind, Guide Dogs of America, Canine Companions for Independence, Assistance Dogs International, International Assn. of Assistance Dog Partners and Pets for Disabled Americans. Additionally, it has been said that many livestock and agriculture organizations are against AB 1634, as their intact working dogs play an important role on their farms and ranches.

Hemby also noted when mandatory spaying and neutering has been implemented in different cities and counties, it has had an adverse effect. He claims past history has shown that the shelter numbers increase, the number of animal euthanasia rises, and licensing and inoculation compliances drop.

Though the California Veterinary Medical Association supports AB 1634, hundreds of veterinarians are opposed to this bill and have not endorsed it, Hemby said.

“Mr. Levine is going way out of his way to criminalize law abiding citizens who raise, show and love their dogs and cats,” said Hemby. “He is making them

the villains in this soap opera of his, and it just isn’t right.”

A spokesperson says the American Kennel Club (AKC) will not join forces with Levine either, because they feel AB 1634 is a deficient bill.

“First and foremost, we think AB1634 is a misdirected bill,” said Lisa Peterson, of the American Kennel Club. “This is not about an irresponsible breeder problem; it’s about an irresponsible pet owner problem and about people who are surrendering their dogs to shelters.” National research reveals the number one reason people drop off their dogs to shelters is due to relocation. To target responsible breeders and dog owners is wrong, said Peterson.

“California already requires a higher fee for unaltered dogs as far as dog licensing,” said Peterson. “Breeders are already penalized for wanting to own intact dogs.”

A real concern to the AKC is the fact that local governments will be the entities instituting this program.

“Levine has come out with an unfunded state mandate,” explained Peterson. This could be an added financial burden on a given municipality due to additional manpower and staff to implement these intact permits. The AKC is also concerned about the permit fee, as local authorities could establish whatever fee they deem appropriate.

“Levine is making AKC breeders, and breeders in general, out to be the cause of this overpopulation problem,” Peterson said. “We are not the problem; we are part of the solution.”

Moreover, Peterson says the shelter population numbers have gone down in the last 20 years. She feels the mandatory spay/neuter bill will not kick-start the lowering of shelter occupants, because the numbers have already been plummeting due to public education.

“The public is already getting the message on what it means to be a good dog owner,” she said. The AKC feels that continuing public dog owner education is the best way to address shelter issues.