Dallas City Spay/Neuter Ordinance

We the undersigned urge Mayor Leppert and the Dallas City Council to approve the Animal Shelter Commission's proposed mandatory spay/neuter - breeder registration ordinance to address the pet overpopulation crisis in our community and help stop the killing of 27,000 dogs and cats in the city shelter each year.

Pet overpopulation is a major cause of the animal control issues facing the city of Dallas - simply put, there are too many animals and not enough homes. These excess animals live short, miserable lives and usually end up being killed in animal shelters or being killed by cars or other animals or dying from starvation or extreme weather conditions.

26,979 dogs and cats were euthanized in the City Shelter alone in the last fiscal year, as well as thousands euthanized in private non-profit shelters, while an additional 13,177 dead dogs and cats were picked up by City Sanitation in the last fiscal year.  We need to let the mayor and the city council know that the residents of Dallas oppose these unnecessary deaths.

Meanwhile, these homeless or abandoned animals are a nuisance and health and safety hazard to humans. Roaming packs of dogs are dangerous and result in thousands of reported dog bites each year. They cause traffic problems, strewn garbage, and continue the unbroken cycle of pet overpopulation through uncontrolled breeding.  We need to let the mayor and city council know that the residents of Dallas want to improve safety and sanitation by reducing the number of homeless or stray animals in our city.

Pet overpopulation is caused by irresponsible or uneducated owners and backyard breeders.  Backyard breeders pump out puppies and kittens by the thousands while even greater numbers are being euthanized in our shelters.  At the same time, owners are allowing intact animals to roam and indiscriminately breed - thus producing even more unwanted puppies and kittens. 

The only way to prevent over-population of companion animals is to stop the rampant breeding cycle. This will eventually reduce the number of unwanted animals entering shelters and being killed. We need to let the mayor and city council know that the residents of Dallas want measures enacted to significantly reduce the number of unwanted animals in our city.

The Dallas Animal Code must be amended to provide Dallas Animal Services with the laws needed to help solve the problem and Animal Services must be supplied with the funds and manpower needed for better enforcement and education. 

We sincerely thank you for taking the time to consider our request and urge you to join us in support of a spay/neuter ordinance for the city of Dallas.