$500 FOR A DOG LICENSE; SPAY OR PAY SYSTEM SOUGHT.

Byline: Amy Collins Daily News Staff Writer

Dog owners who haven't spayed or neutered their pet may be in for a $1,000 jolt if Los Angeles adopts a policy to be proposed today by a city task force.

If an owner chooses not to fix their dog, the annual license fee would be $500; if it has been spayed or neutered, the license would be $10. If you're caught without a license and refuse the dog surgery, the fine and first-year license would cost $1,000.

``This is a practical, reasonable, effective and cheap way of making a huge difference,'' said Gini Barrett, director of the American Human Association's Western Regional Office and a commissioner for the city's Department of Animal Regulation.

Those who can prove they are a ``reasonable pet owner'' - someone who has an ongoing involvement with an animal organization such as obedience training, herding activities or dog shows - would pay $35 for a license and be allowed to keep their pet intact.

The proposal, which will be presented to the city's Animal Regulation Commission today by its Pet Population Task Force during a 9 a.m. meeting downtown, already is drawing fire from pet owners, who don't want to alter their pets and feel the $500 annual fee is excessive.

``I think that's ludicrous,'' said Ian Taylor, 18, of Van Nuys.

Taylor lives with his parents and their golden retriever, James, who has not been fixed. The dog stays in the yard and Taylor says he doesn't want James altered. ``I think of my dog as me. And I wouldn't like somebody doing that to me,'' he said.

The ordinance seeks to cut in half the numbers of animals annually put to death at the city's shelters. The city spends about $4 million to euthanize 55,000 dogs and cats annually.

Katherine Brock of Sun Valley, who shows and breeds dogs as a hobby, favors strong steps to curb Los Angeles' unwanted pet population. But she doubts that the new plan would be successful.

``I think this regulation that they're proposing would be virtually unenforceable,'' Brock said. ``It also lends itself to a great deal of subjectivity as to who is a responsible owner.''

But the authors of the proposal say the plan would be successful when combined with a crackdown on license scofflaws, low-cost clinics and other measures.

``I think it's a great start,'' said Rose Channer, a senior director at the Society to Prevent Cruelty to Animals - Los Angeles. Channer worked on the task force along with representatives of kennel clubs, veterinary associations and animal rescue groups.

``A lot of people will wait until we catch them. We understand that. That's no different than a lot of things,'' Barrett said.

If the ordinance is approved, it will be sent to the City Council for consideration. And if it passes, Barrett said, the next matter on the block will be instituting the same rules for cats.

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2 Photos

PHOTO (1 -- color) The city's Pet Population Task Force is pushing a $500 license fee for owners who do not alter their dogs.

(2 -- color) Ian Taylor, petting his friend's dog, J.J., opposes the hefty non-altering fee.

John McCoy/Daily News