SENATE MEMORIAL 68

49th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2009

INTRODUCED BY

Richard C. Martinez

A MEMORIAL

PROCLAIMING MARCH "ESPANOLA PIT FIX MONTH" AT THE SENATE.

     WHEREAS, in some communities, such as Espanola, pit bulls are overrepresented among the dogs that are euthanized because they do not find suitable homes; and

     WHEREAS, in Espanola, the euthanasia rate for pit bulls is three and one-half times the euthanasia rate for all other dogs; and

     WHEREAS, in 2008, one hundred twelve pit bulls that were taken in by the Espanola Valley humane society did not find homes; and

     WHEREAS, the average cost to animal shelters for handling each homeless animal is one hundred seventy-six dollars ($176); and

     WHEREAS, the spaying and neutering of cats and dogs has been shown to drastically reduce cat and dog overpopulation; and

     WHEREAS, spaying and neutering programs have been shown to be more cost-effective than euthanasia in countering the homeless animal crisis; and

     WHEREAS, the Espanola Valley humane society and saving animals New Mexico are offering free spaying and neutering for the pit bulls of Espanola and Rio Arriba county, through a program known as the "Espanola Pit Fix"; and

     WHEREAS, the program will spay or neuter more than three hundred thirty animals, potentially preventing hundreds of pit bull births and saving thousands of taxpayer dollars;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that March be proclaimed "Espanola Pit Fix Month" at the senate.

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