OAIA RESPONDS
May 28, 2008
Dear Governor Henry,
On behalf of the Oklahoma Animal Interest Alliance I am writing to you regarding SB 1754 which is waiting for your signature. While this bill was sent to you with good intentions from our Legislators, it has severe repercussions if it should become Oklahoma state law.
If enacted this bill will:
· Set a statewide definition for all dog breeders based on a limit of four dogs. In many parts of the state people who are hunting enthusiasts, AKC responsible hobby breeders, people who participate in performance events such as obedience and responsible dog owners live with more than four dogs.
· Responsible dog breeders who are legitimate business owners have a vested interest in making sure their dogs are safe and ensure that their business is accepted in the community.
· Responsible dog breeding businesses operating within the law are no more dangerous than other types of legal businesses that are not restricted to operating within 2500 feet of our schools.
· Be detrimental to our canine/agricultural programs in our Career Tech Centers and 4H programs that teach responsible dog ownership and breeding to children and adults if municipalities follow the instructions as outlined in this bill.
According to media reports it is clear that this bill was written based on an individual situation in one area of the state. It is not reasonable to enact legislation to regulate and limit an entire state based on one situation. One dog owned by an irresponsible dog owner is more likely to be problematic in a community than 10 dogs owned by a responsible breeder.
Oklahoma is rich in agriculture and to impose urban rules throughout the state works against our rural citizens. Though this bill specifies municipalities with population over 300,000 as law it will set a precedent for the entire state. What is right for one urban community may not be the answer for another rural community. The situation which initiated this response from our legislature is and should be handled at the local level not in a manner that creates a statewide restriction.
OAIA strongly opposes SB 1754 and ask that you execute your authority as Governor of Oklahoma and veto this bill. Pet ownership is an important part of the lives of many Oklahomans. While there are some who are not responsible the vast majority ensure their pets are good canine citizens. To punish such a large part of the population for the problems of few seems an unfair solution.
Respectfully Yours,
Oklahoma Animal Interest Alliance
June 4, 2008
Ponca City MANDATORY SPAY NEUTER ORDINANCE
Dear Mayor Nicholson,
I'm writing on behalf of the Oklahoma Animal Interest Alliance (OAIA) concerning the proposed mandatory spay neuter ordinance in Ponca City.
We would like to applaud the leadership in Ponca City for recognizing a community problem and working on finding solutions. However we feel that there are some critical things to consider before reaching a conclusion and enacting the proposed ordinance.
Spay and neuter programs do help to decrease the number of unwanted dogs and cats but
data which is reported by the Ponca City municipal shelter does not demonstrate that a citywide spay neuter mandate will solve the problem. It is quite possible that such a restriction may cause additional barriers for responsible pet owners, increase the number of animals in the shelter and demonstrate to outsiders that Ponca City is not a pet friendly community.
Based on demonstration studies in various communities mandated spay neuter programs across the country have led to,
· Avoidance of pet licensure.
· Decrease in city revenue due to the decrease in pet licensure
· The inability to identify and hold pet owners accountable for problem pets because there is no tracking due to the lack of licensure.
· Increased cost of enforcement without revenue to support enforcement activities.
· Alienation of responsible law-biding pet owners.
· Increase pet illnesses when pet owners avoid taking pets to their veterinarian for vaccinations for fear they will be fined or turned into animal control.
· Failure to decrease euthanasia rates in the shelter as people try to avoid the fines and penalties by dumping their animals.
After reviewing the data that was collected at the Ponca City shelter for 2007 it is apparent that more information would be beneficial in order to create a plan that will truly make a difference in the numbers of dogs and cats that enter the shelter.
Many shelters collect information about the age of the animal, why the animal entered the shelter and how many were adopted. The primary reasons dogs are left as strays or turned in by owners to a shelter are because pet owners are not equipped to deal with behaviors. The information from the shelter report does not capture information that would help city leaders and the community create a plan to support responsible pet owners and provide education in dealing with animal behavior. Mandatory spay neuter restrictions do not address this need and pet owners avoid seeking assistance and instead will abandon their pets to avoid prosecution.
The addition of the breeder's restriction/fee will add to the cost of responsible breeding practices. Responsible breeders who breed to produce dogs for their own use follow strict guidelines and a code of ethics established by Parent Breed Clubs. Not only do they breed to ensure health, structure and temperament of the dog but responsible breeders make sure that owners are a good match for their new pet and provide follow along services to make sure the pet stays with the owner for the life of the dog. Responsible breeders also have a contractual agreement with pet owners that if for any reason the owner cannot keep the dog the breeder will take the dog back and ensure it finds an appropriate home.
We understand the challenges faced by your community and would like to help the City of Ponca City and community pet owners find solutions for these complicated issues.
OAIA is a volunteer based private non-profit organization that works to provide public education and resources to help Oklahoman’s understand the truth about living with animals. Our membership consists of experts in a variety of pet related areas. Included are; veterinarians, dog breeders, dog trainers, behavioral specialists, dog sport enthusiasts, pet owners, people who work directly with shelters, people that provide private rescue services and those that work through purebred dog clubs. Members have a direct interest in working to solve community problems relating to pets and their owners.
OAIA encourages the City of Ponca City leadership to conduct a thorough study through data collection and looking at evidenced based best practices before enacting the current mandatory spay neuter proposal. We would be happy to provide any references for any of the information, which was discussed in this letter.
Ponca City is a wonderful place to live, visit and enjoy our pets. We would like to help this community continue to be a great place for all.
Respectfully Yours,
Oklahoma Animal Interest Alliance OAIA
PO Box 8303 Edmond OK, 73083-8303
Cc: Commissioner Wayne Foxworthy
Commissioner Diane Anderson
Commissioner Lanita Chapman
Commissioner Stan Paynter
OAIA is a volunteer based private non-profit organization that works to provide public education and resources to help Oklahoman’s understand the truth about living with animals. Our membership consists of experts in a variety of pet related areas. Included are; veterinarians, dog breeders, dog trainers, behavioral specialists, dog sport enthusiasts, pet owners, people who work directly with shelters, people that provide private rescue services and those that work through purebred dog clubs. Members have a direct interest in working to solve community problems relating to pets and their owners.
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