CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas —
The City of Kingsville will have a new ordinance going into effect on Nov. 1 that will require any pet owner whose dog is strayed and impounded to have their dog spayed or neutered within 30 days after its release.
Mayor of Kingsville Sam Fugate told 3News that he hopes this new ordinance will make people more responsible about their pets.
"Stray animals are a problem in any city and Kingsville is no different," said Fugate
The owner will then have 40 days to show the certification of the pet's sterilization that is signed by a veterinarian. Fugate says that if the owner doesn't show that certification, they will be issued a citation.
"They have to go to municipal court, and they could be fined. This is not a money maker. That's not what we're really interested in. We're really interested in people just taking care of their animals and being responsible," Fugate said.
Cheryl Martinez President of People Assisting Animal Control – Corpus Christi says that ordinances like these can help with stray over population issues.
"If animals are getting picked up when their at large, all they're going to do is contribute to the overpopulation problem that is already in the city," said Martinez
Martinez says that PAAC will be there to help those in Kingsville who need assistance with the spay or neuter process. Through a grant that PAAC received from the Coastal Bend Community Foundation, the organization is able to offer free spay and neutering services.
Information on PAAC's spay and neutering clinic can be found here.