By NOEL MURPHY
MANY pet owners will refuse to register their animals if they face excessive de-sexing fees under a proposed council order, a leading veterinarian has warned.
Newtown’s Dr Jack Ayerbe said enforced de-sexing costing hundreds of dollars could drive owners underground, putting the proposed by-law at cross purposes with City Hall’s draft domestic animal management plan.
Council has proposed the scheme partly to curb dog attacks, which jumped 60 per cent last year to almost 180.
Geelong Animal Welfare Society (GAWS) backed the push for de-sexing.
But Dr Ayerbe said some owners facing charges of $300 or $400 to neuter dogs or $100-plus for cats would shy away from registering their pets.
“People won’t register their animals if they think it’s going to cost them a lot of money to de-sex them,” he said.
“But compulsory de-sexing is a good thing and I think it will come in eventually with all councils. There’s no reason not to have a pet de-sexed.”’
GAWS president Joyce Doherty said the community should pressure council to investigate ways of reducing de-sexing costs.
A society plan to open its own vet clinic soon promised substantial savings to the community, she said.
“We’re very in favour of de-sexing and we’d like to see a campaign to have the council offering cost reductions, savings, not charging more.”
GAWS executive director Belinda Russo said the society planned to open a dog obedience and behavioural modification centre for owners with anti-social animals.
The centre would offer discounts for pensioners and low-income earners.
Ms Russo thought roaming animals and increased attacks might be a product of population growth, smaller back yards, owners working longer hours and pets craving social activity.
Councillor Kylie Fisher said the council and vet clinics were considering a subsidised de-sexing scheme.
City of Greater Geelong has 35,000 and 11,000 registered dogs and cats respectively.
City figures also show 4000 and 13,000 unregistered dogs and cats.
Dog attacks increased to 177 last year, more than 50 involving injuries to people.
Almost 300 animals were reported as “menacing rushing dogs’.
