Controlling cats and dogs

Facing a raucous crowd of both supporters and opponents, the Los Angeles City Council on Friday gave preliminary approval to a far-reaching ordinance that would require city residents to spay and neuter their dogs and cats. Daily News.

The council voted 10-1 to adopt the controversial measure that would make L.A. among the largest cities in the nation requiring spaying or neutering of all cats and dogs by the time they are 4 months old.

Final action on the measure, which is an effort to try to control the city's population of unwanted cats and dogs, is expected next week.

"This is a humane ordinance," said Councilman Richard Alarcon, who spearheaded the proposal through the council and patterned it after pending state legislation.