S.F. sterilization law successful in reducing pit bull population Even opponents of city's sterilization ordinance concede that it has been successful

PITBULLS22_050_LH_.JPG Pit bull Sandra, 8 months old, at Animal Care & Control. She was one of three today in the kennels. Since San Francisco passed a mandatory spay/neuter law 18 months ago, the number of pit bulls has fallen drastically from the year and a half period preceding the law. Liz Hafalia/The Chronicle/San Francisco/8/21/07 **Sandra cq less PITBULLS22_050_LH_.JPG Pit bull Sandra, 8 months old, at Animal Care & Control. She was one of three today in the kennels. Since San Francisco passed a mandatory spay/neuter law 18 months ago, the number of pit ... more Photo: Liz Hafalia Photo: Liz Hafalia Image 1 of / 7 Caption Close S.F. sterilization law successful in reducing pit bull population 1 / 7 Back to Gallery

Not long ago, pit bulls occupied about three-quarters of the dog kennels at San Francisco's Animal Care and Control shelter. Now, only about a quarter of the unwanted canines at the shelter are pit bulls.

The numbers of pit bull terriers and pit bull mixes abandoned and euthanized in San Francisco have fallen drastically since the city implemented a law 18 months ago requiring that pit bulls be sterilized, animal officials say.

Animal Care and Control Director Carl Friedman said the city has impounded 21 percent fewer pit bulls since the law passed than during the previous year and a half. The number of pit bulls euthanized has dropped 24 percent.

The law grew out of the uproar over the fatal mauling of 12-year-old Nicholas Faibish, who was attacked in his Inner Sunset District home by two pit bulls that had not been sterilized. The boy's mother had left him alone in the family's basement and cautioned him not to go near the dogs, one of which had bitten the boy earlier in the day.

Friedman says fewer pit bulls are being abandoned to the pound because fewer are being born, thanks to the spay and neuter requirement.

"Something is working," he said. "I wouldn't bet the house it's all because of the ordinance, but nothing else has really changed."

Animal control officers have confiscated 38 pit bulls from owners who refused to comply with the law, Friedman said. About 500 pit bulls have been spayed or neutered in San Francisco in that time, he said. Animal Care and Control does the operations, as well as the SPCA and a free mobile clinic from the Peninsula Humane Society that visits the city twice a month.

Because it was targeted only at pit bulls, the spay and neuter ordinance required a change in state law to allow cities and counties to impose "breed specific" requirements. San Francisco's SPCA, which does not believe in targeting particular breeds, acknowledged that it has seen an increase in the number of pit bulls brought in to be spayed and neutered.

"This law has been a success in reducing the euthanization of animals, and we do support that," said SPCA president Jan McHugh-Smith.

But many animal groups would prefer that the process be voluntary - a tactic they say is working in the East Bay, where pit bull advocates and animal control officials have focused on educating the public of the need for sterilization instead of making surgeries mandatory.

"We have seen it become much more difficult to own a pit bull in San Francisco, especially if you're a renter. The law has brought an added stigma to the breed," said Donna Reynolds, executive director of the pit bull advocacy group Bad Rap.

"In the East Bay we're ... supporting dog owners and offering resources to help people make good decisions, and we're seeing huge numbers pour into the doors to get their pit bulls fixed," she said.

People on both sides agree that spaying and neutering is good for pit bulls because it minimizes the number of unwanted pups and blunts aggression in males.

San Francisco's law allows animal control officers to issue a fix-it ticket to noncompliant dog owners, requiring that the pit bull be sterilized within two weeks. Animal Control officers also hand out information on low-cost and free surgeries.

Officers follow up with visits to the homes of owners who have not complied. A first violation can bring a citation and $500 fine; more than one citation can land an owner in jail and result in the city seizing the dog.

Usually, however, Animal Care and Control officers don't let it get to that point. If they return and have to write a citation, officers will take the dog from the owner - sometimes forcefully - spay or neuter the animal and return it, unless the pit bull is aggressive or officials believe it is being used in dog fights.

In the past 18 months, the agency has issued about 250 fix-it tickets, of which only 30 or so are outstanding. It has handed out 204 citations.

"We don't want to criminalize this - there are a lot of people that can't afford to spay or neuter their dogs," Friedman said. "The whole idea is not to take the animal away unless they pose a danger."

One day last week, the Animal Care and Control shelter on 15th Street in the Mission District had only three pit bulls out of about three dozen dogs total. Pit bulls still can be difficult to place with owners: Sandra, a friendly, energetic, 8-month-old brindle pit bull, has been waiting for a new home since June.

Friedman stresses that the law did not reflect an official desire to condemn pit bulls. The breed is more a problem because of the sheer number of the dogs than because of their disposition, he said.

"I've seen pit bulls make wonderful companion animals - they are good for families and children," Friedman said. "I understand where (opponents) were coming from, but I didn't want to see us going the same routes as other communities that are banning certain breeds altogether. In my mind, this is a very good compromise and it's been a success."

Where to get your dog sterilized In San Francisco: -- San Francisco SPCA, www.sfspca.org/hospital/spay.shtml or (415) 554-3084. Prices run from free for elderly and homeless residents to $120. -- The Peninsula Humane Society's Surgery Suite on Wheels offers free spaying and neutering for low- and fixed-income residents. The unit is parked at 1200 15th St. the first Thursday of the month and outside the Pet Camp at 525 Phelps St. the third Thursday of the month. Dogs must be vaccinated and cannot be more than 80 pounds, and must be between 16 weeks and 8 years old. In San Mateo County: -- The Peninsula Humane Society and SPCA offers spaying and neutering. Prices range from $65 to $120, depending on the size and sex of the animal. Call (650) 340-7025 for an appointment or visit www.peninsulahumanesociety.org/services/clinic.html. -- The Surgery Suite on Wheels will be at 1850 Francisco Blvd. in Pacifica on Sept. 8 and Oct. 13. The mobile unit will be in Daly City in the Serramonte Shopping Center parking lot Sept. 12 and 26, and Oct. 10 and 24. In Alameda and Contra Costa counties: -- The East Bay SPCA offers free spaying and neutering for pit bulls in Alameda and Contra Costa counties. To see how to qualify, call (877) 474-8349 or (510) 639-7387 or visit www.eastbayspca.org/vetservices/pitbullspayneuter.cfm. In Marin County: -- The Marin Humane Society offers spaying and neutering for county residents, ranging from $100 to $175. Call (415) 883-3383 or visit www.marinhumanesociety.org/ProgramsServices/VetClinic/SpayNeuterClinic.html.