Riverside Co. Supervisors To Consider Pit Bull Sterilization Proposal

RIVERSIDE (CBSLA.com) — The Riverside County Board of Supervisors Tuesday unanimously voted in favor of a possible ordinance calling for the mandatory sterilization of pit bulls in the county's unincorporated communities.

The decision, which was made at a meeting during which the public was allowed to comment, comes in the wake of several recent attacks.

According to officials, there have been five pit bull maulings in the county over the past year, including a deadly attack on a 75-year-old woman.

The board will now recommend that the Department of Animal Services write up the ordinance.

John Welsh of the county's Department of Animals Services says the proposal is intended to curb pit bull violence and roaming dogs. In fact, pit bulls that are spayed or neutered are less likely to attack and run away.

"The intent for the Board of Supervisors is public safety," Welsh said.

Over the next few weeks, the department will continue taking input from the public.