"In sum: statistics and definitions help create organizational efficiencies, define organizational goals and priorities, save lives, enhance image and build public support. It doesn't get any better than that." Richard Avanzino
I've experienced surprise when my impression based on experience is not borne out after measurable facts are gathered. I'd like to learn more about the facts supporting the bill. I've seen numbers quoted but in most cases the basis for those numbers is missing.
Facts about shelter populations.
Facts about spay and neuter prior to four months.
Facts about the specifics of AB 1634.
Using population information between 2000 and 2006 what is the rate at which (a) unwanted litters of dogs are abandoned and then taken to a shelter or (b) are directly relinquished to shelters or (c) were found but not believed to have been intentionally abandoned (i.e. stray or feral litter)? What is the placement rate for those puppies? How was that information obtained?
Using population information between 2000 and 2006 what is the rate at which (a) unwanted litters of kittens are abandoned and then taken to a shelter or (b) are directly relinquished to shelters or (c) were found but not believed to have been intentionally abandoned (i.e. stray or feral litter)? What is the placement rate for those kittens? How was that information obtained?
When dogs or cats are relinquished by their owners to a shelter do shelters attempt to obtain information and record about the original source of the pet (e.g. found, shelter, casual breeder, show breeder, pet shop ...)? If a shelter does not collect and record this information, why not?
Using population information between 2000 and 2006 what is the rate at which dogs known to be purebreds appear in shelters? What is the euthanasia rate for those dogs? How was that information obtained?
How has the general population of dogs in California been estimated? What is the statistical basis for the estimate? How specific is the information as to breed, age and intact/desexed status?
Using population information between 2000 and 2006 what information is available on the characteristics of the dogs taken in and those placed and those euthanized. What factors influence adoptability: size, color, breed, age, behavior. What facts and figures do we have on those differences?. How was that information obtained?
Using population information between 2000 and 2006 what information is available on the characteristics of the cats taken in and those placed and those euthanized. What factors influence adoptability: size, color, breed, age, behavior. What facts and figures do we have on those differences?. How was that information obtained?
Using population information between 2000 and 2006 where do the dogs in the shelter come from? What percentage come from the original breeder? What percentage come from a person who acquired the dog from the breeder? What percentage come from a person who acquired the dog from a third party? What percentage are strays?
What is the difference between the breed types appearing in shelters compared to the breed types in the overall population? In what way does that vary by community?
What percentage of the shelter population arrives already spayed or neutered? Is there any information on variation of that rate by community, breed type or other characteristic? How was that information obtained?
What percentage of the the total dogs in California are desexed? How was that information determined? Is there any information on variation of that rate by community, breed type or other characteristic? How was that information obtained?
What percentage of the the total cats in California are desexed? How was that information determined? Is there any information on variation of that rate by community, breed type or other characteristic? How was that information obtained?
Is there evidence that changing the source of the dog will change the rate at which dogs appear in shelters? How was that information obtained? If the source did change the rate, what factors are likely to have influenced that difference? What are the supporting figures for that conclusion?
What studies have been done on dogs in competition or working dogs with regard to whether there are health, temperament and performance differences based on when desexing occurred?
What is the criteria for determining whether a breed is "valid"? Who sets that criteria and what is the basis for setting it? Will all jurisdictions apply the same rules for determining what a valid breed? What language in the bill supports that answer?
How many purebred registries are there in the United States? What is the criteria for determining that a particular purebred registry is "accepted" or "recognized?" What language in the bill supports that answer?
If the particular registry for a dog does not issue titles what options exist under this bill to keep the dog intact? What language in the bill supports that answer?
What is there about AB 1634 that influences where a person goes to acquire a dog?
How does a person know what they need to do to prove that a five month old puppy meets the "in training" requirement for an intact permit? Does this proof requirement change over time? Who decides what kind of proof is acceptable and what is the criteria for that? What language in the bill supports that answer?
Are local agencies required to provide specific reasons why a breed is not accepted as valid, a registry is not recognized or the proof of training, in training or title is not deemed to be sufficient? Is there a hearing requirement for the owner to challenge or address such determination?
When assessing success of mandatory spay neuter in other communities what have been the standards for the analysis. For example, were only raw figures used? In what way were those figures compared in the context of other communities of similar cultural, economic, educational and environmental characteristics?
A ranch or livestock dog is typically valued and considered for breeding based on the ability of the dog to meet the needs of the rancher. Dogs that have the necessary qualities need to remain intact to provide the next generation of competent working dog. Pedigree is not a significant consideration. Under the terms of this bill how can a rancher or farmer maintain that valuable working line of dogs?
What will be the costs of enforcement, and how have those costs been estimated?
What methods will be used to identify violators?
What steps will be taken to avoid a reduction of licensing?
If a local jurisdiction simply fails to enact any provision for an intact permit or license in what way does this bill provide for abatement of enforcement while the affected owners attempt to get such a provision enacted?
As a visitor to this state how can I ensure that touring California will be accepted as a "legitimate" reason for having my intact dog present. What are examples of acceptable proof?
Proponents of AB1634 present a chart of shelter statistics. From 1995 to 1998 of the 61 jurisdictions required to report statistics 55-58 reported. From 1999-2002 53-51 of the 61 reported. From 2003-2005 50-44 reported. What accounts for the reduction in reporting? What is the effect of that reduction on the reliability of statistics?
Proponents of AB1634 present a summary chart of statistics. A footnote explains that the numbers were extrapolated "from reports varying between 51 to 58 jurisdictions". Since the a chart of shelter statistics showed that the years 2003, 2004 and 2005 were all less than 51 where did the statistics come from to bring the reporting up to that low end of 51? What is the basis of the extrapolation? Did it take into account which jurisdictions failed to report and the characteristics of those jurisdictions. If Kern county and Colusa county fail to report the missing numbers will have a very different relationship to the reported ones than if Contra Costa county and San Diego county fail to report.
So far as I can see this bill entirely ignores basic economic principles. It reduces supply without reducing demand. That increases incentive to meet demand among those not regulated, the commercial breeder. This source is available to meet the demand and is even less desirable than the source sought to be eliminated. The net effect is that nothing will have adjusted why people relinquish their pets, and thus the goal will substantially fail.
Supporters claim that mandatory spay and neuter has worked in other jurisdictions stating raw statistics. But I'm not convinced. There is a difference between causation and correlation. I think we need better quality information. Most of the statistics quoted are more than 10 years old yet when we can find current statistics we can see that there have been significant changes. It is, therefore, not persuasive for either side to rely on old information. Bad information is not the basis for good law.
The answers to the questions above will help to evaluate whether even entirely eliminating casual breeding will have any significant reduction on shelter populations. The best solution is to address why people relinquish their dogs. Adjust who gets dogs, and what they have to consider before getting them.
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Diane Blackman, DogPlay Webmaster
http://www.dogplay.com
Are you good an academic analysis? Do you understand the language of the scientist? And are you good at translating that information so that anyone can understand it? If you are, and if you are in favor of AB1634 I'd like to see a reasonable, rationale basis to show that spay/neuter prior to four months will not show adverse health effects for performance and working dogs specifically, and even for pets in general. I'm not talking about the population control trade-off. I'm already convinced that for shelter and mass volume pet acquisition it is a necessary tradeoff even if there are adverse health effects. I'm just want to see a credible assurance that the health benefits claimed are so significant over the health risks that it it should be forced on even those capable and competent to control their dogs breeding and both willing and able to accept reasonability if they fail. I need to see this in terms of studies that will apply to my hard working performance dog.
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Created: April 2, 2007
Updated: June 1, 2007
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