Postition Statement Opposing Manditory Spay & Neutering

ADBA POSITION STATEMENT OPPOSING MANDATORY SPAY/NEUTER LEGISLATION

The American Dog Breeders Association Inc. (ADBA) opposes anymandatory spay/neuter of dogs and cats.

The American Dog Breeders Association was established in 1909 to promote the study, breeding, exhibiting, and advancement of purebred dogs. The American Dog Breeders Association is an all- breed registry and the world’s largest registry for the American Pit Bull Terrier.

The American Dog Breeders Association supports the adoption of reasonable, enforceable, non-discriminatory laws to govern the ownership of dogs. It is also the ADBA official stated position to oppose mandated spay/neuter legislation even with exemptions for any reason. The ADBA believes that pet owners should be responsible for their pets; however, we oppose any law that mandates the taking of property rights of these pet owners.

Our opposition is based upon both a medical and constitutional basis. There is health risks involved with any invasive surgery. The least of which is risk of infection, and there is always the risk of any surgery causing death.

LEGAL STANDPOINT:

Such a mandate appears that the governmental body has usurped ownership, and take rights in the animal from its rightful owner. The ADBA upholds the domestic animal owner’s right to choose whether or not to spay, or to neuter his, or her animal. The ADBA sees such a mandate as an unconstitutional taking of private property without just compensation, a violation of the Bill of Rights Amendment IV. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, or the property to be seized. The ADBA stipulates that an animal’s internal, and external genetalia belong to the owner of the animal.

Lastly, a violation of Amendment XIV, Section 1.All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of theUnited States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

It is often stated that pet “overpopulation” and thus shelter euthanasia numbers as the primary reason given for mandatory spay/neuter of dogs and cats, however you should be aware that mandatory spay/neuter ordinances will do nothing to increase owner retention, the lack of which is the major cause of shelter intake. According to the highly respected National Council on Pet Population Study & Policy (which is sponsored by several high-profile animal interest organizations, including HSUS), the following are the ten most common reasons for dog and cat relinquishment to shelters in the United States.

DOGS

1. Moving
2. Landlord issues
3. Cost of pet maintenance
4. No time for pet
5. Inadequate facilities
6. Too many pets in home (Pet limit laws)
7. Pet illness(es)
8. Personal problems
9. Biting or unnecessary aggression
10. No homes for littermates

CATS

1. Too many in house (Pet limit laws)
2. Allergies
3. Moving
4. Cost of pet maintenance
5. Landlord issues
6. No homes for littermates
7. House soiling

ADBA Position statement Opposing Manditory Spay & Neutering