Gilroy, CA Animal Ordinances: Mandatory Spay/Neuter (2026)

Gilroy adopted its pit bull sterilization law under state authority: § 4.64 cites Senate Bill 861, codified at California Food and Agricultural Code § 31683 and Health and Safety Code § 122331, which let cities require breed-specific spaying and neutering. Section 4.66 defines "pit bull" broadly to include the bull terrier, miniature bull terrier, American pit bull terrier, Staffordshire bull terrier, American Staffordshire terrier, or any dog displaying the physical traits or AKC/UKC-conforming characteristics of those breeds; an owner unsure of a dog's breed can request a determination from the department under § 4.67, appealable to the director within five business days.

Section 4.68 makes it unlawful to own, keep or harbor an unspayed or unneutered pit bull in the city unless it falls under six exceptions: it is under eight weeks old, a veterinarian certifies it cannot be sterilized without a high risk of serious harm or death, it has been in the city fewer than thirty days, the owner holds or has applied for a breeding permit under § 4.72, breed determination is on appeal, or it is a registered show dog with AKC/UKC papers on file.

Section 4.69 sets the penalties: a first violation lets the department impound the pit bull, charges it as an infraction fined under § 4.9, and lets the owner reclaim the dog only after paying a $100 deposit for department sterilization, a $60 fee to use an outside vet, or signing an affidavit to sterilize within two weeks; a second violation is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in county jail, a fine up to $1,000, or both, plus impoundment.