Veterinarians are against the proposal for amendments to the Animal Protection Law that provide total sterilisation of dogs of a certain gender in Latvia, says Latvian Association of Veterinarians (LVB).
According to LVB, research shows that sterilisation can cause health problems for dogs. This is why animal sterilisation is not allowed in multiple countries, as there are no medical indications for it.
LVB chairman Ilmārs Dūrītis notes that sterilisation as a form of population control remains common in the world and is approved for homeless animals and animals in shelters. At the same time, thanks to widely spread sterilisation in countries in which the number of sterilised animals reaches up to 80% of the population, veterinarians were able to perform extensive research, which led to the conclusion that effect of sterilization on the organism is not as positive as was previously thought.
He mentions that recent studies on the effects of sterilization on the animal’s organism significantly change the public’s understanding of sterilization as an operation recommended for everyone. Some countries have already initiated discussions on a possible ban of sterilisation for clinically healthy animals. In Norway, for example, there is already such a ban. Veterinarians in this country are permitted to perform the surgery only based on objective indications.
LVB also mentions that obesity is more common for sterilised dogs, according to results of studies.
On top of that sterilised dogs have a higher risk of urinary incontinence, the formation of urinary stones, behavioral problems, the development of cognitive dysfunction syndrome, autoimmune and hormonal diseases, orthopedic problems, as well as an increased risk of developing malignant neoplasms of various nature.
LVB explains that the amendments requested by Animal Police association and other associated associations not only provide for the sterilization of absolutely all pets in Latvia, the application of a fee on owners of non-sterilized pets, but also introduce a requirement for each owner of a cat to register his or her apartment or house as a potential breeding place for animals with subsequent regular visits from the Food and Veterinary Service (PVD).
Saeima’s Economic, Agricultural, Environmental and Regional Policy Committee plans to view amendments to the Animal Protection Law on Wednesday, the 13th of December.
LVB is a voluntary public organisation that unites qualified veterinarians and students from the Veterinary Medicine Faculty of the Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies.
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