(PRESS RELEASE) ALEXANDRIA, VA — On Tuesday night, Ojai Mayor Betsy Stix and the Ojai City Council in California voted to adopt a misguided new law—the Companion Animal Protection Ordinance—making it the first city to ban the breeding of a wide range of cherished dog and cat breeds.
Concerningly, the Council ignored input from citizens who spoke out against the bill at a public hearing earlier this month and didn’t appear to consult any experts with real-life experience breeding pets. Instead, the Council took months of input from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which has argued against breeding and pet ownership entirely, saying, “it would have been in the animals’ best interests if the institution of ‘pet keeping’—i.e., breeding animals to be kept and regarded as ‘pets’—never existed.”
The sweeping legislation outlines 19 different categories of “congenital anatomical features”—ranging from “excessive skin folds” to certain snout lengths—as grounds for a ban. Impacted breeds include beloved French Bulldogs, Pugs, Dachshunds, Corgis, Shar-Peis, Mastiffs, Persian cats, and more.
The Pet Advocacy Network (PAN), which advocates for the responsible pet care community at all levels of government, is speaking out against the law, characterizing it as an attempt to ban purebred dogs in general.
“This law is an outrageous overreach that insults responsible pet owners and breeders and takes away their freedom to choose their ideal cat or dog,” said Mike Bober, president and CEO of PAN. “The legislation flies in the face of veterinary science showing that these breeds lead happy, healthy lives with loving families when bred responsibly.
“Historical records show some of these species, including Shar-Peis and Tibetan Mastiffs, are ancient breeds that have existed in their current form for thousands of years,” he added. “We should celebrate these incredible animals, not outlaw them.”
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About the Pet Advocacy Network
The Pet Advocacy Network connects the experience and expertise of the responsible pet care community to lawmakers and governing bodies, advocating for legislative and regulatory priorities at the local, state, federal and international levels. Since 1971, the organization has worked to promote animal well-being and responsible pet ownership, foster environmental stewardship, and ensure access to healthy pets, including small animals, cats, dogs, fish, reptiles, and birds. Pet Advocacy Network members include retailers, companion animal suppliers, manufacturers, wholesale distributors, manufacturers’ representatives, pet hobbyists, and other trade organizations. To learn more, visit www.PetAdvocacy.org.</small
