New El Paso Ordinance of puppy & kitten sales

[Poulets De Cajun]

As is typical with these sorts of things, it would appear that people have singled out the parts of the ordinance that they don't agree with, or that directly affect them instead of looking at the overall big picture, and goal of the ordinance.

I see no one has said anything about the $110K that the city is putting towards EDUCATING people about reducing the number of strays. When you include this little tid-bit of information, the overall ordinance isn't so bad. They aren't exactly ruling with an iron fist here. They are taking a proactive approach, in addition to enforcing new rules.

But Animal Services workers say that in addition to the new rules, better education and stepped-up enforcement are key to bringing down that grim number. Toward that end, the city is putting up $250,000. "There will be a huge effort when we get back Jan. 3," said Armando Saldivar, spokesman for the Public Health Department, which oversees Animal Services. Animal Services representatives will begin meetings with community groups to educate them about the ordinance and the problems with stray animals. About $110,000 of the new money will be used to hire two more educators for the department, bringing the total to three, according to materials submitted earlier this year to the City Council.​

 

[hollyclyff]

This is the wording from their Animal Services brochure.

"If you are selling or transferring a pet that is less than a year old and is not spayed or neutered, you can’t charge more than $50.00 unless you have proof that you spent more than this to take care of it. If you are selling or transferring a pet that is less than a year old and it has been spayed or neutered, you can’t charge more than $150.00 unless you have proof that you spent more than this to take care of it."

In a news article it also states that "taking care of it" does not include food. It doesn't appear that it includes health testing for the parents, stud fees, care of the dam, etc. either. I guess their definition of profit is whatever price is charged for the puppy minus vet expenses for that individual puppy.

So it would seem they have essentially banned responsible breeding in El Paso. Or at least breeders who live in El Paso can't also sell their puppies to people in El Paso.

 

[redhen]

But what if people dont want an animal from a shelter? (i know that i DONT)
They have to wait to get an ADULT dog over a year old, from a breeder? Am i reading this right??

This is almost forcing people to get animals from shelters... wow. Might as well move to Nazi land..
Guess i'd just take a little trip out of state.. Thats ALL this ordinance will accomplish...

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

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Why DONT you want an animal from the shelter?

 

[kla37]

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I think you are right, people will just go elsewhere for dogs from reputable breeders. It can't do much good for baby animals to be rendered worthless. Wonder how many will be killed because of this.

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

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Not anymore than the number that is being killed now...

 

[Skyesrocket]

As is typical with these sorts of things, it would appear that people have singled out the parts of the ordinance that they don't agree with, or that directly affect them instead of looking at the overall big picture, and goal of the ordinance.

Doesn't it bother you, even a little bit, that the government is taking away the rights of all breeders in the El Paso area to discourage the ones that are unethical breeders? Kind of like throwing out the baby with the bath water?
Our former governor of Ohio was very close to signing a bill against responsible animal ownership just before the last election. He is no longer our governor. That may not be the entire reason he was voted out of office, but it is the whole reason I voted against him.​

 

[SilverPhoenix]

Personally I think the law is a little extreme (I think there should be outs for experienced breeders, such as expensive kennel licenses), but that said... I still support it. The amount of dogs and cats dying in shelters is horrifying and needs to be stopped even if by extreme measures. There are so many fantastic animals in shelters, even purebreds (my absolutely stunning corgi came out of a shelter), and yet people still keep churning out puppies and kittens because they're too irresponsible to spay or neuter, or just want "one litter" or whatever. I think there should be consequences for having unaltered animals unless you have a special license to breed those animals, and in my opinion part of getting that license should be an examination of the breeder's facilities and animals.

I understand why people get upset about laws impeding their freedom, but when the cost of "freedom" is literally millions of dead dogs and cats... Something has to give.

 

[Poulets De Cajun]

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Nope....

I could further explain my point of view, but it would only lead to a flame war, and I don't have that many strikes left. If you care to discuss it privately, I'd love to chat.


ETA: See the post above. My feelings are along the same lines.

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

An easy way around the law is to go to the next town over and meet with the people looking to purchase your pups.