Pet owners in Waco may have to spay or pay
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Bear, a wirehaired pointing griffon, is an award winning show dog, and he's also the father of a litter of pups on the way.
David Boehner, Bear's owner, said he breeds responsibly.
"As a hobby breeder of purebred dogs, in our contract with our owners we require spaying and neutering," he said.
Boehner supports animal birth control, but he's not in favor of a new ordinance the city council is considering. It would require pet owners to pay an annual fee for a permit for each animal that isn't fixed.
"I'd just hate to see another ordinance, another tax put on the books that just won't work," he said.
The idea behind the ordinance is to cut down on the number of strays and dumped animals.
At Fuzzy Friends Animal Rescue, Becki Shepherd said the permit is worth a shot.
"Animal Birth Control here in Waco is offering extremely low costs--spay and neuter services. They're also offering spaying and neutering when you're on government assistance, and there's almost no excuse to really not spay or neuter at this point," Shepherd said.
The version of the ordinance that passed a first reading Tuesday did not specify how the license would be enforced. It also did not set a price for the fee, but the city's animal control advisory board has recommended a cost of $50.