Somewhere, Bob Barker is Smiling

By Kevin Robinson in News on Apr 30, 2008 1:00PM

Ald Ed Burke (14th) is planning on proposing a city ordinance requiring dogs and cats over six months old to be spayed or neutered. Burke's believes the law is necessary "because people are not living up to their responsibilities as pet owners," he told CBS2. The law would exempt law enforcement dogs, animals a vet deems not healthy enough to undergo surgery, and breeders, who must pass a criminal background check to get licensed. The proposal is intended to fight the growing problem of dog fighting among gangs in the city. "I don't think there's too many gang members who are going to go through a criminal background check, so either they'll get these dogs neutered, or they're not going to keep them," he said.

Chicago won't be the first city to require pet owners to snip their furry friends. Earlier this year Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa signed one of the strictest pet sterilization laws in the nation. Violators could face fines up to $500.

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