Bob Barker would be proud!

But I'm not.

Rhode Island requires that cats be fixed

PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Gov. Don Carcieri signed a law Friday making Rhode Island the first state in the nation to require cat owners to spay or neuter their pets.

Cat owners must spay or neuter pets older than six months unless they pay $100 for a breeder's license. Violators can be fined $75 per month.

And, like any good government requirement, there are government subsidies for the unfortunate among us (i.e., the poor).

Under the law, low-income pet owners would be eligible for subsidies for low-cost surgery. Farmers are exempt.

This stuff ticks me off. I know, you're probably thinking, "Dude, Joey, chill out." (Okay, you older people are thinking, "Young lad, you should really simmer down a wee tad bit." That last part is only if you're Irish.) I'm just fed up with the government passing stupid laws because they have to watch out for us because Mr. Citizen just can't be responsible on his own and needs Mr. Government to step in and take over.

Good grief.