The American Kennel Club (AKC) has learned that the City of Waco, Texas, may soon consider a mandatory spay/neuter ordinance. The idea is currently under development by the Waco Animal Welfare Advisory Board, and would have to appear before the City Council before it becomes law.
The American Kennel Club strongly supports and actively promotes a wide range of programs to educate the public about responsible purebred breeding practices and the responsibilities of dog ownership. We oppose the concepts of breeding permits, breeding bans, or mandatory spay/neuter of dogs. Instead, we support reasonable and enforceable laws that protect the welfare and health of purebred dogs and do not restrict the rights of breeders and owners who meet their responsibilities.
As currently drafted, the idea would require all domestic animals in the City of Waco to be spayed or neutered, except:
- animals under four months of age;
- animals due to health reasons certified by a veterinarian to be unfit for sterilization procedures;
- animals trained for and used in police and rescue work; and
- animals used for show.
The draft ordinance would also make numerous other changes to the City's animal ordinance. These changes would include a new definition of animal abandonment, humane tethering provisions, mandatory microchipping requirements, and repeal of the current intact animal permit.
Click here to read the draft proposal.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Waco residents concerned with the provisions of the draft are encouraged to begin contacting Mayor Malcolm Duncan, Jr., and the members of the Waco City Council, and urge them to pursue reasonable animal control measures that do not restrict the rights of responsible dog owners.
Mayor Malcolm Duncan, Jr.
Email: wacomayor@waco-texas.com
Councilman Wilbert Austin, Sr. (Dist. 1)
Click here to send a message to Councilman Austin.
Councilwoman Alice Rodriguez (Dist. 2)
Click here to send a message to Councilwoman Rodriguez
Councilman John Kinnaird (Dist. 3)
Click here to send a message to Councilman Kinnaird
Councilwoman Toni Herbert (Dist. 4)
Click here to send a message to Councilwoman Herbert
Councilman Kyle Deaver (Dist. 5)
Email: wacocouncil5@gmail.com
The AKC Government Relations Department will provide more information regarding the draft changes to Waco's animal ordinance as it becomes available, and will offer formal comment when the proposal is introduced in the City Council. For more information, contact AKC-GR at 919-816-3720 or at doglaw@akc.org; or contact Texas' Responsible Pet Owners Alliance at 210-822-6763 or at rpoa@texas.net.
The American Kennel Club (AKC) has learned that the City of Waco, Texas, may soon consider a…