EDITORIAL: Fine-tuning the spay-and-neuter ordinance
Let’s cut the police some slack when they hold tonight’s forum to explain just how they’ll implement the pet spay-and-neuter ordinance approved this summer by the Waco City Council.
Those attending should resist pointed questions about whether this local ordinance should even be. While we acknowledge the controversy that accompanied this issue, the matter was largely resolved by the council in light of our chronic problem involving unwanted pets that wind up at the animal shelter, often to be euthanized.
To its credit, the council did allow for the strong feelings on this issue and consequently asked that citizens continue to have opportunities for input on just how this law is best implemented. That’s what police seek during a forum at 6:30 tonight at the city operations center, 1415 N. Fourth St.
“It’s time to talk about the nuts and bolts of implementing the ordinance,” Assistant Chief Ryan Holt says. “The council was clear that they want the public to help craft how this thing is going to go into effect. More heads are better than one, and people who are passionate about animals might have a unique perspective.”
Much remains to be set regarding this ordinance, which requires local owners to neuter their animals or pay a yearly fee to keep them whole. The council has yet to specify what the yearly fee will be and will take recommendations from police. And while the ordinance doesn’t go in effect till Jan. 1, police are pondering the wisdom of giving warning tickets.
Few matters hit home like policies impacting our pets. Let’s recognize where we are in this process and work toward good, useful input at tonight’s forum.
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