May 3, 2008

City of Dallas City Council

State of Texas Assembly

1500 Marilla Rm. 6E

Dallas, Texas 75201

Attention: Asst. City Manager David Brown (Supervisor of Animal Services)

Subject: Opposition to Dallas City Code Chapter 7-Animals amending Section 7-4.10

To Whom It May Concern,

It has come to our attention that the City of Dallas plans to make changes to its Dallas City Code Chapter7-Animals. Amending Section 7-4.10 will not only affect many purebred pet owners and breeders in Dallas, but also other pet owners and breeders of purebreds in the State of Texas and the USA.

We strongly agree that these issues must be resolved, but not by penalizing responsible purebred breeders and pet owners. To correct your problem you should target the puppy mills and your irresponsible pet owners. This is where your stray and unhealthy dogs and over population of pets surrendered to your local animal shelters is coming from.

Clearly you have not thought of the health impact this will pose. For instance, neutering at an early age is detrimental to the health of the male dog. Studies show “With regard to cancer, spayed females have a 4 times greater risk for devolping cardia hemangiosarcomas (vascular tumors) compared to intact females (neutered males also show a significant increase in risk for these tumors compared to intact males) (Ware and Hysper, J. Vet. Inten. Med 13:95-103, 1999.). Additionally, both neutered males and females have a 2-fold greater risk for developing bone tumors (osteosarcoma) compared to intact males and females (Ru et al., Vet J. 156:31-9, 1998 . Neutering at an early age actually increases fearfulness and aggression. This interferes with hormones needed for proper development and maturity. In addition to the health issues, is the City of Dallas prepared to handle the lawsuits that will commence when your petowners neuter or spay their pets and as a result the pet dies? There is not always a way to tell if this procedure will be be harmful to your pet until after it has been done.

Also to be charged a $500.00 Breeders Annual Permit fee for each unaltered pet that can only be approved by your Director of Animal Services will open the door for breed preferences. There are many assistance and working dog breeds that can’t be spayed or neutered because it ruins their basic working capabilities. Most working breeds can’t be evaluated for working abilities until they are close to 2 years of age.

The City of Dallas is known as one of the best tourist cities in the USA and offers many wonderful sites. There are several events held in the City of Dallas such as performance trials, conformation shows, training seminars and countless others held every year for purebred pet owners and professional purebred dog breeders, however because this issue is so very important, we as purebred pet owners and breeders intend to boycott any and all business and/or recreational trips in your city and we will work vigilantly to inform as many people as we can of your total disregard for the health of our animals and lack of respect for the rights of pet owners. To quote the United Schutzhund Club of America, “This will clearly cause significant financial impact on business done within your city; such as hotels, rental car agencies, airlines, gas stations, retail shops, restaurants and stadiums.” Our boycott will not only be limited to these dog related businesses, but also those in the private sector catering to visiting families out for a day, individuals or families on vacation, sport events, concerts and countless other reasons.

We come together as one voice with strong opposition and objection to the amending of Chapter 7-Animals Section 7-4.10 as this will only place a strain on the rights of law-abiding citizens. This will not stop illegal puppy mills or irresponsible pet owners; on the contrary pet owners that can barely afford vaccinations, much lesss the neutering or spaying of their animals will opt to abandon their pets, turn them lose in your city or county or ultimately take their pets to the local animal shelter. We urge you to reconsider your changes so that they address the real problem in your city as well as others cities, “We must stop illegal puppy mills which are the main source of unhealthy puppies. Place higher restrictions on pet stores and flea markets that purchase from puppy mills and work to enforce laws holding pet owners responsible for the illegal dumping and abandonment of their pets as well as protecting these animals from abuse.”

Respectfully,