Illegal dog and cat breeding crackdown proposed for Fresno

FRESNO, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – Fresno Council President Annalisa Perea and Councilmember Garry Bredefeld are looking to make amendments to the Fresno municipal code to address the city’s pet overpopulation crisis.

The Fresno Animal Center has exceeded its kennel capacity, an issue that animal advocates and some city officials say is due in part to illegal breeding.

“We are committed to directly combating this overpopulation. And one way to do that is through going directly after these illegal breeders,” Perea said.

An ordinance to tighten Fresno’s regulations on illegal breeding will be introduced at the next city council meeting, on Thursday, Aug. 15.

Perea says the proposal is aimed at hitting illegal breeders in the pocketbook.

“The fine system will look like $1,000 per animal that you are illegally breeding and punishable up to even a misdemeanor violation if the violations continue to occur,” she said.

The Fresno Animal Center is over capacity, with 200 dogs in the facility, and there are more animals unaccounted for in other shelters. An issue Fresno Furry Friends’ Mona Ahmed says she sees firsthand.

“It is hard for me to see all these animals when I go to the shelters to take pictures of their eyes when they look at me, they always think like, oh, she’s here to save me. And when I go the next day and then when I find out they have been put down because nobody came for them.”

But how does the city plan to effectively enforce this ordinance if approved?

“As part of the ordinance amendments, if anyone is wanting to sell a dog or cat, they will be required to post their breeder’s license number on that advertisement,” Perea said.

A breeder’s license costs $2,000.

Perea says the city would be looking through social media ads to find people operating without a license.

This ordinance proposal comes at a time when the city has received backlash for not properly taking care of the issues of strays, specifically those that may be considered dangerous.

“The city of Fresno Animal Center will take in all animals that are aggressive and pose a threat to the community,” said Deputy City Manager, Alma Torres.

City officials and advocates ask the public for help in fostering or adopting at the Fresno Animal Shelter – all adoption fees are currently being waived.

To learn more about the legislation that will be presented to the council during the next meeting, click here.

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