Dog News

This week’s Editorial is devoted to the upcoming vote on dog ownership in the City of San Francisco. Reprinted with permission from the American Kennel Club
On Wednesday, April 9, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors’ Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee will hold a hearing on a proposed ordinance (File No. 251162) that would institute mandatory spay/neuter for nearly all dogs in San Francisco. It also would add the word “guardian” to law – potentially changing the legal status of animals in the city. If advanced, the proposal would go to the full Board of Supervisors for possible passage into law.

San Francisco residents are strongly encouraged to contact the committee members and the full Board of Supervisors to express your opposition to this proposal. Scroll down for talking points and contact info.

Summary:

The ordinance would amend San Francisco’s Health Code to require that virtually every dog in the city be spayed, neutered, or chemically sterilized — expanding well beyond the current pit bull-only requirement. A limited exemption exists for “competition dogs” (dogs competing or titled in AKC/UKC events, or whose guardian holds membership in an approved breed club enforcing a code of ethics), law enforcement dogs, and dogs under one year of age.

“Guardians” of exempt dogs must obtain an annual unaltered dog permit at a cost of $186 per dog. Permits may be denied or revoked based on a single complaint, prior animal control violations, or a female dog exceeding one litter per year or five litters in her lifetime.

AKC has significant concerns with this proposal. The competition dog exemption is narrowly drafted (there is no exemption for responsible dog owners who simply wish to keep an intact dog), the permit fee structure burdens responsible owners and breeders, and the revocation grounds on a single reported “offense” are broad and subject to abuse. Also, the term “guardian” could have significant legal implications on the rights of owners to continue to own and care for their dogs.

In your committee outreach, some talking points to mention:

Mandatory spay/neuter laws have not proven an effective solution to animal control concerns — this proposal does not address the stray population, which is the primary driver of shelter overcrowding.

A better solution is to fully fund low-cost spay/neuter programs and ensure the public is aware of available services.

Mandatory spay/neuter laws impose significant costs on responsible owners and breeders. The city should instead enforce existing animal control laws, expand low-cost spay/neuter access, and fund public education on responsible dog ownership.

The competition dog exemption is narrowly defined and will exclude many responsible dog owners who simply choose to keep their dogs intact.

The term “guardian” is a legal term used by courts to protect people and is not appropriate when referring to dogs. The use of this term may reduce the legal classification and value of dogs as property, which would restrict the rights of owners, veterinarians, and government agencies to protect and care for dogs. It could also provide the basis for a vast increase in the number of frivolous and expensive lawsuits being filed, which would result in higher costs for pet care.

Visit the Mandatory Spay/Neuter Key Issue page and view the handout “Animals Need Responsible Owners, not Guardians” in the AKC Legislative Action Center for more talking points and information (below).

What You Can Do:

Attend the Committee Hearing (in-person) and express your opposition: The proposal is scheduled for the Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee:

Wednesday, April 9, 2026, at 10:00 AM

City Hall

Legislative Chamber,

Room 250

1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place,

San Francisco, CA.

Contact the Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee and express your opposition:

Chair Supervisor Matt Dorsey (D6):

DorseyStaff@sfgov.org

(415) 554-7970

Vice Chair Supervisor Bilal Mahmood (D5)

MahmoodStaff@sfgov.org