DALLAS - Hundreds of people, many of them dog breeders, turned out Monday in opposition to proposed changes in Dallas' animal control ordinance.

With thousands of dogs and cats running loose in many parts of the city, the setting was a city council committee that's looking at what should be done.

Loose animals still scurry the streets of Dallas after years of pet owner education, low cost spay and neuter programs and more spending for animal control.

The result is that 27,000, which equal about 80 percent, of the dogs and cats that end up at the animal shelter are killed.

Some council members, like Mayor Pro Tem Elba Garcia, said they want tougher action.

“We already catch, we already cage and we already kill too many animals for too long in this city,” Garcia said.

The Animal Shelter Advisory Commission urged the city council to pass a mandatory spay-neuter requirement for pet owners and limit animals to six per household.

Breeders would be exempt from the rule, but they would be required to get an annual permit for $500 that would limit them to one litter per year.

Breeders against that idea nearly filled the council chambers.

“That's my property," said Bolivia Powell, one among many breeders who voiced their criticism at the meeting. "They're my pets and I love them, but why should I pay you to have my own dogs?”

Many breeders argued the proposed law would punish them since irresponsible pet owners would still ignore it and let animals run wild.

That message got through to council member Steve Salazar.

“If we pass an ordinance, it's not going to be overly burdensome on individuals,” Salazar said.

The Quality of Life committee still voted to send the proposed changes to the full council for debate and vote with the promise that the council review and ensure the permit fee isn't too high.

The full council will vote on the proposals in June.

E-mail bwatson@wfaa.com