THE NEWS FROM SANTA BARBARA

Faced with clear opposition from most Santa Barbara dog owners, the Board of Supervisors backed off a plan to develop a mandatory spay and neuter program last year.

The Supervisors constituted a new task force but as so often happens, they loaded it with people recommended by the very folks who had come up with the proposal that was going to cost people their animals and increase the burden on animal control. And, once again, they seem to be trying to make a one size - cats and dogs - situation fit all. Santa Barbara Animal Control is quick to admit that the problem is primarily cats. But yet all the proposed solutions affect only dogs.

In fact the task force is led by the veterinarian who almost single handedly destroyed CVMA by promising its support for such proposals without polling member veterinarians.

There are steps that can be taken that affect just those people who allow their dogs to roam and who are responsible for the animals in the shelter.

It is important that residents of unincorporated Santa Barbara County, where any new laws would be imposed, be in constant touch with their Supervisor about their concerns.