Senate Reverses Self on Pet Neuterization
The state Senate, which refused Monday to approve controversial legislation that virtually mandates the spaying and neutering of dogs and cats, reversed itself today after its author agreed to make changes.
The bill, SB 250, passed after Sen. Dean Florez, D-Shafter, agreed to exempt hunting and working dogs from the measure and to declare it will not apply to an animal escaping its yard for the first time.
"Critics of past efforts to encourage spaying and neutering have said clearly that any legislative solution to our shelter crisis must focus on owner responsibility, and I believe this measure does just that," Florez said when introducing the bill.
The measure, a successor to past efforts to require neutrering pets, has generated huge controversy among pet owners and breeders. It fell five votes short of passage on Monday but cleared the Senate on a 21-16 vote today, sending it to the Assembly.
