Pet law draws notice

As news of a proposed mandatory spay, neuter and microchipping ordinance for dogs and cats spread throughout the community, the issue drew attention and controversy not only locally, but even nationally.

The ordinance would be the first in the state that requires microchip implants as well as spaying and neutering, and it would be the first in the county to require spaying and neutering to get a pet license.

Councilman Keith Bohr, who proposed the ordinance, appeared last week on conservative cable talk show “The O’Reilly Factor” to defend against accusations that it was nanny-state governance.

“This is still America, but if my little dog wants to have an active sex life, you’re telling me what I can and can’t do with my own property,” show host Bill O’Reilly said in the segment.

Bohr said such laws had proven results that could reduce the number of animals killed, and compared them to rules against dog-fighting.

“You can use that argument for anything we do, label it nanny government,” Bohr said in a phone interview. “Where I draw the line is what affects the community. It does cost all of us. From a supply side there’s too many animals.”

As with a similarly controversial state bill that would require spaying and neutering, the debate tends to split animal rescue workers from animal breeders.

Mandates are the only effective way to ease crowding at shelters, said Karen Chepeka, president of Save Our Strays, a nonprofit that offers low-cost spaying, neutering and microchipping to Huntington Beach residents.

“This will help prevent unwanted litters of puppies and kittens,” she said.

A handful of pet owners spoke in opposition to the City Council Monday, though the ordinance was not on the agenda.

The ordinance would burden owners without fixing the problem, said 36-year resident Elaine Marshall.

“It seems to us that Huntington Beach has more pressing problems,” she said. “Responsible citizens already take care of their pets. Irresponsible folks aren’t going to take care of them anyway.”

Council members expect the ordinance to return for a vote in about a month.