Proposed Ordinance Would Require Owners Of Unfixed Dogs To Register With City

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INDIANAPOLIS — City leaders in Indianapolis want to crack down on irresponsible backyard dog breeding.

An ordinance was proposed at Monday night’s meeting of the City-County Council’s Metropolitan and Economic Development Committee which would require dog owners within Marion County to register their dog with the city if that dog is not spayed or neutered.

Dog owners and backyard breeders would also have to provide the dogs’ medical records and alert authorities when a litter is born.

Abby Brands, director of the Indianapolis Department of Business and Neighborhood Services, said the registry will not be a tax for owning a dog that is not fixed, nor is it a punishment.

“This is a free, annual registry,” she said. “Many cities have breeding permits and dog licenses, we do not have those.”

She also said the ordinance would not place an undue burden on those who practice dog breeding responsibly. In fact, she said she believes if you do sign up for the registry and engage in dog breeding, you are proving to be a responsible breeder.

Supporters told councilors the ordinance will help alleviate the stress that Indianapolis animal shelters are feeling. Dana Warren, a vet tech with Indianapolis Animal Care Services, said the city is going through a crisis.

“Indianapolis is experiencing an animal welfare crisis fueled by the unregulated and unethical breeding and selling of dogs by people who do not have the expertise, knowledge, or desire to breed responsibly,” Warren said. “The consequences of backyard breeders can be felt all over our community.”

One animal control officer described an instance where a female dog was tied up in his backyard and killed by two other stray dogs. The officer said the man who owned the dog “laughed” and said, “at least I got four littered out of her.”

There are those against the proposal, such as Monica LaPolt who describes herself as a responsible, law-abiding backyard breeder. She told the council that she has strict animal welfare contracts she holds with clients to whom she sells puppies. LaPolt said the ordinance, as written, will not address the problems city leaders are looking to solve.

“Only people like me … will be the ones complying with the ordinance,” she said.

She also said the benchmark to register a dog that is not fixed at the age of six months is not in line with well-known animal health standards.

“They should remain (unfixed) at least until they are 24 months old, 12 to 14 months old so that they have the full benefit of those hormones and their muscular development in order to limit problems in dogs that are pediatrically neutered,” LaPolt added.

The council voted to recommend passage of the ordinance to the full city-county council. The ordinance could get a final vote before the City-County Council on the night of Aug. 12.

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