Sikeston spay-neuter proposal put on hold

SIKESTON, Mo. -- A proposal to require domestic animals within Sikeston city limits be spayed or neutered raised several concerns at Monday morning's city council meeting, the Standard Democrat newspaper reported.

The overlying question was how the ordinance would be addressed.

"We don't have the luxury of staffing to enforce lots of the nuisance laws," said Chief Drew Juden of the Sikeston Department of Public Safety.

As a dog owner himself, Juden had other concerns. He said he's had a hunting dog for about 10 years. The dog has never been out of control and Juden said it isn't neutered, nor does he plan to do so.

"Why should I have to pay a fee for the irresponsible pet owner that's out there in the community?" he asked.

The proposed ordinance does have an option for residents to opt out, if they pay a fee and register the animal with the city.

Geri Way, treasurer of the Sikeston Area Humane Society, explained that the proposal was made to be in compliance with the existing state spay and neuter law, as well as current ordinances in the city of Sikeston.

"The Sikeston Area Humane Society has the responsibility of taking in the unwanted animals from the city of Sikeston," she said. Of those, between 400 and 600 are "humanely euthanized" each year.

Through July, 206 animals were euthanized, so the facility is on track to euthanize about 400 this year, said Way. "We always adopt out less than we put down," she added.

"And that is directly related to the fact that there is no ordinance for the residents in the city to follow or relate to," she said.

Juden agreed there is an issue with an abundance of animals -- some out of control -- in the city. In fact, officers have had to euthanize three "aggressive" animals recently.

"(The owners of those animals) are the type of people we need to address," he said. "I agree that something needs to be done, but I'm not sure that something that's being proposed here is the answer."

Councilman Tom Hedrick said he, too, thinks it would be difficult to enforce such an ordinance.

"We can pass any type of law we want, but if we don't have the resources to enforce it, what good is it?" he said.

Several at the meeting commented the people whose pets breed likely wouldn't comply with the law. Affordability is also an issue, with spaying and neutering costing about $100.

Dr. Steve Williams with Animal Health Center, who also works with the Sikeston Area Humane Society, said rates for the service here are among the lowest in the state. He also pointed out the group knows there likely won't be 100 percent compliance, but the issue needs to be addressed in some way.

"If there's something on the books, then we have something to do," he said. It could also serve as an education tool, said Williams.

Way said she asks anyone who objects to the proposal come to the shelter. "Look in the eyes of the puppy, dog or kitten and you'll slowly watch the life of the animal disappear," she said.

Councilman Michael Bohannon agreed.

"It breaks your heart to go out there and see the problem we've got," he said. "We've got a real problem and we've got to find some way to address it."

Mayor Jerry Pullen echoed remarks the proposal would be difficult to enforce, but something does need to be done about the issue. He suggested further meetings be held on the issue.