PIERRE, S.D. (SDBA) — South Dakota legislators Tuesday (Feb. 12, 2024) took another step toward keeping the state from going to the dogs– and the cats.
On a 9 to 3 vote, the House Local Government Committee passed SB172, a bill that would legalize trapping, neutering, and releasing feral dogs and cats. Currently, if an individual captures, neuters, and releases a feral dog or cat, they are considered to have abandoned the animal.
So, why not just shoot the feral critters?
According to the president of the Sioux Empire TNR Coalition, Matt Tougas, catching, spaying/neutering and releasing is more humane than shooting the animals. He says killing feral animals causes a 200% increase in feral dogs and cats.
“This is due to something called the vacuum effect,” Tougas said. “That’s basically when you take an animal out of its habitat, it just increases more space for other animals to come in.”
He says TNR reduces the endless litters of kittens for rescues and animal control.
There was no opponent testimony.
However, Republican Rep. Marty Overweg from New Holland spoke against the bill.
“I guess I’m talking like just an old farmer, but we’ve seen some stuff in this state that has been affected by these wild animals,” Overweg said. “I think it was a few years back in Pine Ridge, we had a young gal killed by a pack of wild dogs, and the community had to go out and hunt them.”
Supporters said landowners out in the country would still have a right to protect their domesticated animals or people if feral dogs or cats attacked them.
The measure now goes to the House floor for further consideration.
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