MSN Bites The Dust In Manteca, CA
Sacramento, April 8th.
Mel Tucker is the epitome of a hunter. Big guy, broad shoulders and direct. Mel trains and hunts with his Labrador Retrievers. When the thirty or forty PetPAC supporters gathered to oppose a proposed mandatory spay and neuter ordinance in the city of Manteca last night, Mel and his wife were there.
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Manteca is a town of 63,000 just below Stockton, CA. It is primarily an agricultural community. It is situated in the agricultural belt of California, about 60 miles south of Sacramento.
PetPAC was asked to get involved in trying to stop this measure. After looking at the proposed ordinance, we did just that. This nine page document not only prohibited intact dogs, it required any future breeding, to require proof of suitability, adherence to a breed standard, membership in a dog registry and other restrictions, all of which had to be approved by animal services.
A week ago, a number of us met with Manteca Police Chief David Bricker and his director of animal services. Prior to that meeting PetPAC sent out over 700 emails to members within a 40 mile radius of Manteca. Chief Bricker laid out the proposed Manteca MSN ordinance and for the next two hours we had an open, honest and informative discussion. At its end, the Chief promised to carry our concerns directly to the City Council.
That Friday, I was invited by Sacramento ABC-TV to participate in a half hour TV web-cast debating the proposed ordinance with the Executive Director of the Sacramento S.P.C.A.
It was a bit of a lively debate. It really got hot when I brought up No Kill shelters. The debate raging on line probably overshadowed the one in the studio. PetPAC had again notified supporters of the debate, so a number jumped into the fray. Later that day, I received an accolade from a friend in Pennsylvania who had also watched it.
Before the hearing, PetPAC sent out hundreds of new emails asking people to show up. Tues evening, April 7th, about 30 of 40 of us did show up at the council chambers to sit through two hours of normal agenda items. It seems as if they always put mandatory spay and neuter on as the last agenda item. I believe they just want to wear us out. It didn’t work .
Mayor Willie Weatherford opened discussion on the subject by asking fellow city council persons to give their opinions. First off was Debby Moorhead, who started out wishing the ordinance included cats, because she didn’t particularly like cats. My first impression was; “Oh No! Not another AR!." But, I was wrong. Ms. Moorhead started right off by saying, I have to tell you, I am vehemently opposed to this ordinance. Everything she said from that point was music to my ears.
Then Councilperson John Harris kind of hemmed and hawed his way through. Steve DeBrum, the third council member to speak mentioned his discussions with citizens who told him this ordinance would be impossible to enforce. Chief Bricker when asked by DeBrum, confirmed that opinion.
The mayor took up the mantel and spoke about the pit bull maulings in the city and the need to protect the citizens. He also lamented that people who turned up to speak against it were not residents. Then he opened up public comments.
Nine of us got up to speak with me leading the way. Each of us had just 3 minutes to make our case. I emphasized the unintended consequences of MSN, the increase in animals being disavowed by their owners that ended up killed in shelters, the plummeting of licenses, the decrease of vet visits, the huge increase in city costs to try to enforce the measure.
Others voiced their opinions, which went to the fact this ordinance, like all MSN, punishes responsible dog persons. Mel got his turn and lamented he had spent years perfecting his Lab breeding to get the best hunting dogs, which this ordinance would wipe away. He ended with this: “We really love our dogs and they love us. Just throw your dog and your wife in the trunk of your car for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes open the trunk and see which one kisses your cheek.” That broke the tension in the room.
Following public input, the mayor went around to council members again, and this time none of them were in support. Sounding a bit crestfallen, Mayor Weatherford admitted they would not want to punish responsible dog breeders. Putting the measure to a vote, it went down 4 to zip.
The defeat of this measure is one victory in a long battle. It shows we can win against AR’s, PETA and HSUS.
