The City of Holly Hill, Florida, is trying for the second time this year to pass a mandatory spay/neuter ordinance for the small community. The ordinance would require all dog owners to have their dog or cat spayed or neutered by six months of age, with few exceptions.
In February 2009, the City Commission rejected the ordinance, only to reintroduce the measure a month later. It is highly likely the proposal will be considered at the April 14 hearing, so it is essential that all responsible dog owners in Holly Hill and surrounding communities contact the City Commission and express opposition to this egregious proposal.
The AKC opposes many provisions in this proposal including, but not limited to:
- Mandating spaying and neutering for all dogs and cats 6 months of age or older. The following vague exemptions are included, which do not take into account the right of an owner to make decisions regarding competitions, breeding, and even club membership when the dog is over 6 months of age:
- The owner possesses an intact animal permit ($25 per animal)
- The dog or cat has competed in at least one sporting competition within the past 365 days, has earned a title from a registry or dog sport association, or the owner is a member of and the dog or cat is registered with a purebred breed club or cat fancier’s association approved by the local animal control officer.
- The owner can demonstrate proof of a stud contract for a particular dog or proof of a litter resulting from the breeding of this dog within the past 365 days
- The owner possesses an intact animal permit ($25 per animal)
- Mandatory microchipping of any unaltered animal. The AKC recognizes microchipping as one form of identification, but believes the owner has the right to choose their dog’s identification.
- Temporary care and custody of dogs and cats, and dogs and cats belonging to guests of residents are exempted, as long as the animal does not stay on the property longer than two weeks.
Dogs currently used or in training to be a service animal or for law enforcement, herding, or hunting also exempted.
The American Kennel Club opposes the concepts of breeding permits, breeding bans, or the mandatory spay/neuter of purebred dogs. Instead, AKC supports reasonable and enforceable laws that protect the welfare and health of purebred dogs and do not restrict the rights of breeders and owners who take their responsibilities seriously. Additionally, we strongly support and actively promote a wide range of programs to educate the public about responsible breeding practices and the responsibilities of dog ownership.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Contact the members of the Holly Hill City Commission. Politely, but strongly express your opposition to a mandatory spay/neuter ordinance for the city and ask them to again reject this proposal.
The contact information is as follows:
Mayor Roland Via
City of Holly Hill
1065 Ridgewood Avenue
Holly Hill, FL 32117
Phone: (386) 677-1209
E-mail: mayor@hollyhillfl.org
Commissioner John Penny
119 7th Street
Holly Hill, FL 32117
Phone: (386) 257-2205
E-mail: clerk@hollyhillfl.org
Commissioner Rick Glass
629 Dahlia Avenue
Holly Hill, FL 32117
Phone: (386) 566-1600
E-mail: rickdglass@yahoo.com
Commissioner Mark Reed
140 15th Place
Holly Hill, FL 32117
Phone: (386) 672-3741
E-mail: clerk@hollyhillfl.org
Commissioner Liz Towsley
1615 Selma Avenue
Holly Hill, FL 32117
Phone: (386) 677-8038
E-mail: daytonamarinemom@aol.com
The City of Holly Hill, Florida, is trying for the second time this year to pass a mandatory…