City of Long Beach - File #: 15-0115

• File #: 15-0115
• Version: 3
• Name: PRM - Amend ORD for mandatory spay/neauter for dogs
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: Adopted
• File created: 1/21/2015
• In control: City Council
• On agenda: 3/17/2015
• Final action: 3/17/2015
• Title: Recommendation to declare ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code by amending Section 6.16.085 and by adding Section 6.16.062 all relating to animal regulation, read and adopted as read. (Citywide)
• Sponsors: Parks, Recreation and Marine, City Attorney
• Code sections: 6.16.062 - Animal shop - Animal sales., 6.16.085 - Unaltered dogs and cats prohibited
• Related files: 09-1118, 14-0970, 10-0423, 15-0933

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
3/17/2015	3	City Council	approve recommendation and adopt	Pass
3/10/2015	1	City Council	declare ordinance read the first time and laid over to the next regular meeting of the City Council for final reading	Pass
3/3/2015	1	City Council	withdrawn

TITLE
Recommendation to declare ordinance amending the Long Beach Municipal Code by amending Section 6.16.085 and by adding Section 6.16.062 all relating to animal regulation, read and adopted as read. (Citywide)

DISCUSSION
On November 18, 2014, the City Council directed City of Long Beach (City) staff to develop proposed changes to Title 6 of the Long Beach Municipal Code (Municipal Code) making it mandatory for dog owners to spay or neuter their pets, unless they possess a medical exclusion or meet certain exemptions, and requested recommendations for supporting the successful introduction and implementation of the Mandatory Spay & Neuter Ordinance, including, but not limited to, public education, spay/neuter vouchers, mobile services, and enforcement through administrative citations and license canvassing. Additionally, staff was directed to draft an ordinance making it unlawful to sell dogs, cats, or rabbits in any pet shop, retail business, or other commercial establishment, unless they were [1] obtained from a public animal shelter, humane society, or nonprofit rescue organization, or [2] bred in Long Beach possessing a breeding permit in accordance with current restricted breeding and transfer laws (6.16.190).

The Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine, Animal Care Services Bureau (ACS), in coordination with the City Attorney’s Office, drafted a set of proposed Title 6 Municipal Code amendments based on comments made during the City Council meeting on November 18, 2014, and conducted a review of existing laws from other cities. The proposed changes represent a balance of mandating the spaying and neutering of all dogs, while providing an exemption process for the owners of dogs with health issues, pure bred show dogs, and working dogs, so that these types of dog owners can continue with their endeavors. The changes also include new laws regulating the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in the City. The new laws would take effect on October 1, 2015...