Commercial Appeal Article About Spay/Neuter Ordinance

Wearing red, supporters of a proposed ordinance calling for the mandatory spaying or neutering of dogs listen intently during a public hearing on the matter in Memphis City Council chambers on Tuesday.

A majority of the 75 or so people who met in Memphis City Council chambers Tuesday to talk about a proposed mandatory spay or neuter ordinance for the city's dogs were already sold on the plan.

At the outset, councilman Shea Flinn, ordinance sponsor, reminded the gathering that everyone present wanted to better control the animal population.

"I think it's important to note that everyone here, whatever their position, is for better welfare for the animal population in this city," Flinn said. "We can all agree we're not doing a good enough job. We can all agree that we can do better."

Supporters, most decked out in red, included representatives from rescue groups, the Memphis Animal Shelter advisory board and the Humane Society of Memphis and Shelby County.

They said opponents, including dog breeders, have financial interests in blocking the ordinance.

They also pointed out that the shelter takes in 18,000 animals a year and has a more than 80 percent euthanasia rate.

"If the public is in opposition of this spay/neuter ordinance, all they have to do is go to the Memphis shelter any day of the week and look in all those innocent animals' eyes, sad and depressed, and they will know that we need change," said rescuer Rita Leone.

Cindy Sanders, a shelter advisory board member, noted that dog bites come mostly from animals that haven't been spayed or neutered, and that feces from strays contaminate the water sources, attract rodents and produce a fly over-population.

"The numbers are not going down and if we continue on this path, there's going to be no stopping it," Sanders said.

Ordinance opponents, who were significantly outnumbered, included Donna Malone, president of Responsible Animal Owners of Tennessee. Her research found that communities across the country have instituted and repealed spay/neuter ordinances after experiencing increased shelter costs. She supports low-cost spay/neuter options and other educational programs.

Dr. Jennifer Clay, a veterinarian at Utopia Animal Hospital, said she supports spaying and neutering, but not a mandatory ordinance. Her concern is that dog owners who get their dogs only rabies shots may skip even that if they are required by law to also spay or neuter.

"I actually profit from spay/neuter, but I'm not for mandatory spay/neuter," Clay said.

In January Flinn proposed a mandatory spay/ neuter ordinance for pit bull breeds only, but now says a ordinance for all dogs would have a better chance of passing legal obstacles.

A draft of the ordinance has not been written, he said, there will need to be more research and additional meetings before a final ordinance is ready to present to the city council.

Shelter director Matthew Pepper, who started his job this month, said that as a newcomer he was there to listen. He said whatever the fate of the ordinance, community-based programs that address responsible pet ownership will be needed.

Pepper replaced Ernest Alexander, who was indicted in February on multiple counts of aggravated animal cruelty stemming from the deaths of three terriers at the shelter when he was director.

Also indicted were former shelter supervisor Tina Quattlebaum and veterinarian Angela Middleton.

-- Linda A. Moore: 529-2702