FRESNO COUNTY – Amidst Fresno County’s ongoing cat and dog overpopulation crisis, proposed amendments to the county ordinance code seek to impede on harmful breeding practices.
On June 24, the Fresno County Board of Supervisors held the first hearing for the addition of Chapter 9.05, “Breeding, Transfer and Sale of Dogs and Cats,” to Title 9 of the ordinance code. This amendment seeks to add more thorough regulations on dog and cat breeding, while more harshly punishing those who willingly violate them.
“The problem is pervasive, significant and we intend to crack down on it,” said Fresno County Supervisor Garry Bredefeld.
This new chapter aims to mandate breeding permits to allow for tracking and accountability, and limit the number of litters a licensed breeder can produce annually. Chapter 9.05 also adds more significant penalties for violations, with fines up to $1,000 for each illegally bred animal and potentially six months jail time.
Additional goals of the chapter are to emphasize the importance of spaying and neutering, and to create more transparency by requiring permit and license numbers to be displayed in advertisements for dog and cat sales.
Chapter 9.05 was a collaborative effort between supervisors and co-sponsors Bredefeld and Brian Pacheco, who held three meetings with the County Administrative Office, the sheriff’s department, Fresno County Public Health, Fresno Humane Animal Services (Fresno Human) and more to get to the root of the free roaming dog issue.
According to Bredefeld’s presentation of the agenda item, the overpopulation problem is being exacerbated by unlicensed breeders who abandon puppies when they’re unable to sell them. Even amongst dogs that aren’t abandoned, many of them live in poor or inhumane conditions.
Sim Dhillon from Fresno County public health gave the board a slideshow presentation with photos from across Fresno county, all displaying the state in which overbred pets are living. In one case provided, over 80 animals were recovered living at a single residence.
“I want to take this opportunity to thank the rescues that have been doing a lot of great work in our community,” said Supervisor Luis Chaves. “I know that they do it with their heart. They’re very compassionate, and I also know that they’re exhausted.”
Chapter 9.05 passed this first hearing uncontested, with a second hearing set for July 8. If approved, the chapter will take 30 days after.
