News

California Mandatory Spay/ Neuter Bill Stopped

California sportsmen scored a victory as Senate Bill 250, a mandatory spay/neuter bill, was killed last week for the remainder of the year.

The bill, sponsored by state senator Dean Florez (D- Hanford/Bakersfield), would have prohibited anyone from owning a dog that is capable of reproducing unless an “unaltered” dog license was purchased.  This would have caused unnecessary financial hardships on many sportsmen who would have been forced to spay or neuter their animals at their own expense. 

A steady stream of opposition from sporting dog owners and dog enthusiasts led Sen. Florez to not push for reconsideration after the bill was voted down last week 42 to 28.

The U.S. Sportsmen’s Alliance (USSA) and key partners such as the California Outdoor Heritage Alliance, Masters of Foxhounds Association of North America, National Animal Interest Alliance, National Rifle Association, California Rifle and Pistol Association, and Pet Pac worked aggressively to block the legislation. 

“This has been a long battle, but for the sporting dog owners and sportsmen who stood up in opposition, it was a necessary one,” said Rob Sexton, vice president for government affairs for the USSA.  “We thank all of our partners for their efforts in stopping a bill that would have proved devastating to the entire sporting dog community.”