HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-17-2024_Open Session_General Comment_Silvestri, Jaclyn_RedactedFrom:Jaclyn Silvestri RN
To:CityClerkDepartment
Subject:July 17, 2024 Council Meeting Comment
Date:Wednesday, July 17, 2024 1:12:54 PM
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7-17-24
DOG OVERPOPULATION CRISIS
“Man-made disaster is caused by human activity. A disastrous event caused directly and principally
by one or more identifiable deliberate or negligent human actions. Also called human-made
disaster”.
Animal cruelty is a priority for many who are witnessing the dog overpopulation crisis first
hand and it is negatively affecting the morale of this community.
As long as irresponsible, indiscriminate backyard breeding continues , unregulated,
illegally , for profit, for blood sport or as a consequence of an unresponsive community …
we will not recover from the dog overpopulation crisis. It’s impossible and we know it, we
feel it, we all are exhausted , we are falling behind no matter how much time rescuers
spend on rescuing, adopting, or fostering; weeks-old puppies and beautiful healthy dogs
end up euthanized every week to make room for more weeks-old puppies and beautiful
healthy dogs in a vicious cycle.
Pregnant females, large breeds are wandering about delivering litters of six to eight
puppies in abandoned lots, in dog parks, wherever they’ve been dumped (Cane Corso,
Staffordshire Pit Bull mixes and German Shepherds). These tragic events are a huge
burden for decent , caring residents and rescue groups who cannot keep pace. Dogs far
outnumber qualified adopters…there simply are not enough people to adopt.
“We cannot adopt our way out of this” We cannot rescue, foster or even pay our way out of
this, SO , as a Last Resort we euthanize our way out ? For God’s sake NO !
Definition of insanity: “Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result “.
TARGET THE REAL PROBLEM
*Ban backyard breeding , any way you possibly can, slow down the productivity , slow
down the overproduction, and stop needlessly killing the overflow. Animals are coming
down the line faster than we can adopt and save.
PUNISH THE OFFENDERS
*Punish the offenders of the laws with $500, $750 $1000 fines. Yes we need a focused
task force to do this, a “boots on the ground” approach. We have a radical problem , we
need an equally radical solution… please let’s just get this crisis addressed.
Are irresponsible breeders any less criminal than the gangs , drug dealers or dog fighting
cartels.?
FREE SPAY NEUTER
*Create more free s/n events , these event appointments fill up so fast that residents say
they simply cannot get an appointment , so they stop trying . Spay and neuter costs are out
of range for most San Bernardino residents.
Make it free and follow up. Make this crucial life saving necessity free to public.
*Spay and neuter all animals that are adopted from Shelters BEFORE they leave the
shelter . Do not relinquish any intact animals until they are spayed.neutered , vaccinated
and chipped.
Free adoption events of intact animals is obviously contributing to the population growth as
we continue to rely naively on community to follow up; the consequences are indisputable.
We need a commitment from San Bernardino , tangible actions….now, this summer 2024…
…workable solutions even if temporary, to turn this around. Many reasonable, realistic
solutions have been presented at council and supervisor meetings by respected
representatives of the Rescue Community.
San Bernardino .. the crisis is not being addressed.
We need ZOOM comments restored.
We need Dog Crisis on the agendas
We need more meetings specific to this issue .
“The greatness of a nation and its moral greatness can be judged by the way its animals
are treated.” Gandhi
“
Respectfully,
Jaclyn Silvestri RN