Mandatory spay/neuter?

Manditory spay/neuter is a horrible idea. I have yet to see a proposal that would even execute this in an efficient way. Considering most counties are lucky to get 60% of the dogs even licensed, I can't comprehend how you would enforce this, which means that the most likely offenders are the people most likely to ignore this.

I'm a fan of spaying and neutering dogs, but it is NOT, I repeat NOT, the government's job to deal with this. Most of the respondants are spewing back the standard propaganda about why it's a good idea to spay and neuter your pets (which it IS a good idea to do), but that is a totally separate issue of whether the GOVERMENT should force you to do it. Why in the world should we have the goverment deciding medical issues for our pets?

It is also not the goverment's job in any way, shape, or form to decide which dogs make good breeding stock. The only people who should be in favor of this are people like PETA who believe that we should end pet ownership altogether. IF this type of legislation were actually effective, dogs would become rare enough to be simply playthings of the rich.

The proper approach to the problem of pet overpopulation is EDUCATION.

Honestly I don't have a problem with it. In Sweden, bitches are only spayed if necessary for health problems such as a condition called pyometra. But they are awesome at leash laws, and you yourself stated the main reasons why it doesn't work in the USA, because most people just let their pets run. Now in Sweden, it is becoming more and more common to neuter male dogs becasue of the aggression and territorial issues, but that is still optional and not the norm. One day I hope the USA can become enlightened enough to not be so pushy about the sterilization issue, but right now too many animals are neglected and euthanized because people just don't care. I'd really like to just get all dogs and cats vaccinated for Rabies, which is already the law so humans cannot contract the dealy virus that way, but this isn't happening too quickly either.

But that's my opinion,

-a dvm

It is always a good idea to spay and neuter your pets. Just as they tell people, it only takes one time. You may be out at a park walking your dog, stopping to have a conversation with another dog walker, and the two dogs just might get together while you are not paying attention. And once they are together, yes itis true they do stay together for a few minutes. And then you have a litter on your hands.

You don't say whether you have male or female dogs. Spaying a female also cuts down on the menstration- they won't bleed as there is no period. Most dogs arer S/N at around 6 months, when they are reproductively mature. Neutering males does cut back on agression as well.

Well the irresponsibility of others is what is causing the need to spay/neuter. Just think of all the poor helpless animals being euthanized every day because of this. It is not mandatory where I live to have it done though. I wouldn't go as far as to say only full blooded breeds not be allowed, because I own a mutt technically, however she is more beautiful than many of those AKC dogs I have seen.

I had the same train of thought as you when we got our first dog, an AKC registered Golden Retriever. I loved Murphy with all my heart and he was as much a part of our family as anyone else who lives under our roof. We did NOT have him neutered. We kept him in our yard or on a leash. I thought I was being "responsible".

A week before Murphy's 13th birthday, we had to put him down. He had cancer, and the cancer started in his testicles. Had we been SMART enough to have him neutered, our otherwise healthy dog would have been with us longer. So you see, it's not just the pet population, there are other reasons to spay or neuter.

What’s In It for You?

Even though an action may be good for the community, people have a natural tendency to ask what benefits they will receive. Here are some benefits you and your dog can expect when you have your dog spayed or neutered.

Better health. A dog that is spayed or neutered has no chance of developing uterine or testicular cancer; in females, the risk of breast cancer and urinary infections is drastically reduced. Reproductive cancers are common among older dogs that have been bred.

Better behavior. Male dogs that are neutered when young are much less likely to roam, mark their territory (and your belongings) with urine, and show aggression toward other male dogs. Intact (unneutered) male dogs will go to great lengths to get to a female dog in heat—they will dig their way out of yards, break fences and leashes, and cross streets in heavy traffic if a female in heat is in the area.

Easier care. An unspayed female bleeds for about 10 straight days twice a year. She bleeds on your carpet, your furniture, the interior of your car, and on the ground outside. As soon as she has marked your yard, you can anticipate a constant parade of male dogs who will pace your lawn, howl, and bark. You have a fenced yard? They will dig their way in.

No accidental pregnancies. If your dog accidentally becomes pregnant, you will have to provide additional medical care—for her and the puppies—and be responsible for finding good homes for half a dozen or more offspring.

I will never EVER have another male dog without having him neutered. I'm sure you won't understand this. You seem pretty set in your ways. That's sad. I hope you never ever have to go through the pain and sadness and GUILTY feelings I went through, but if you do, you'll finally understand the importance of neutering a male dog.

What if your dog gets loose and runs away? It happens all the time to the most responsible owners. Or what if a visitor or someone else leaves the gate open and you did not see it? What if he trys to chase some animal and gets away from you? Sure it is a small posibility but it happens. Prevention is the motive for those ideas. Lots of laws seem like they punish the law abiding people but we have to think of the greater good, the good beyond ourselves. It is proven to be healthier for the animals to get them altered, ask your vet.

This is a completely retarted question. Ask your veterinarian why it is important to spay or neuter your dog...if you ever take your dog to a veterinarian that is. Have you ever heard of perianal tumors on unneutered male dogs? Or testicular cancer? Or breast tumors that occur in unspayed female dogs? Or pyometras that occur in unspayed female dogs? Or prolapsed uteruses? Heck no you haven't heard of any of that, because if you did you would have never questioned the importance of spaying and neutering of dogs. I would suggest that if you want your dog to live the healthiest lifestyle possible, then you do the research for yourself and then have your dog spayed or neutered. If you choose not too, then it's you and your dog that have to suffer the consequences...

yes, I'm with you...you seem like a very responsible pet owner, who has to pay for other peoples and dogs mistakes, I feel that some people need to be spayed and neutered...

What's the question? Anyways... what is your reason for not getting your dog spayed/neutered? That might answer your not stated question.

My animals are never out of my site or control. I wouldn't s/n them. No need to if I am doing my job in taking care of them!!