Santa Clara Could Mandate Fixing Pit Bulls
A proposal to keep dangerous dogs in check is taking shape in Santa Clara County. The ordinance could require that owners of pit bulls spay or neuter their animals.
Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors President Ken Yeager was horrified by the fatal mauling of 2-year-old Jacob Bisbee in Concord last month by his family's pit bulls, and he says he wants to prevent something like that from happening in Santa Clara County.
"I know many people get very nervous when they see pit bulls, or any sort of vicious dog, and pet owners are concerned as well," said Yeager. "I think that as far as the general public goes, this would be good for the safety of our residents."
He is proposing that pit bull owners in unincorporated areas have their animals spayed or neutered, or face fines.
Podcast
The proposed law is sure to face an uphill battle. Supervisor Dave Cortese says he agrees that pit bull attacks are a problem but says that he's not sure if this is the solution because the vast majority of attacks involve children.
"It's tragic, and if there's something we can do about that – great, but I'm not sure this is it," said Cortese.
The proposed ordinance is modeled after a similar law in San Francisco, which is credited with reducing pit bulls in shelters from about two-thirds of the population to a quarter, since it was passed in 2006.
