SECTIONS 122330-122331 - California Statutes

HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE

SECTION 122330-122331

122330. The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:
(a) Uncontrolled and irresponsible breeding of animals contributes
to pet overpopulation, inhumane treatment of animals, mass
euthanasia at local shelters, and escalating costs for animal care
and control; this irresponsible breeding also contributes to the
production of defective animals that present a public safety risk.
(b) Though no specific breed of dog is inherently dangerous or
vicious, the growing pet overpopulation and lack of regulation of
animal breeding practices necessitates a repeal of the ban on
breed-specific solutions and a more immediate alternative to existing
laws.
(c) It is therefore the intent of the Legislature in enacting this
chapter to permit cities and counties to take appropriate action
aimed at eliminating uncontrolled and irresponsible breeding of
animals

122331. (a) Cities and counties may enact dog breed-specific
ordinances pertaining only to mandatory spay or neuter programs and
breeding requirements, provided that no specific dog breed, or mixed
dog breed, shall be declared potentially dangerous or vicious under
those ordinances.
(b) Jurisdictions that implement programs described in subdivision
(a) shall measure the effect of those programs by compiling
statistical information on dog bites. The information shall, at a
minimum, identify dog bites by severity, the breed of the dog
involved, whether the dog was altered, and whether the breed of dog
was subject to a program established pursuant to subdivision (a).
These statistics shall be submitted quarterly to the State Public
Health Veterinarian.