The Chicago City Council deferred making a decision on limiting dog ownership to no more than five Monday. The council's licensing committee put off a vote on 31st Ward Ald. Ray Suarez's proposed ordinance in the face of criticism from pet lovers, veterinarians, and animal advocates. The city council has tried to limit animal ownership in the city for over a decade, without success. Suarez says that the proposed ordinance was prompted by neighbors in his ward that own so many animals, “the people next door could not even use their own backyard,” Suarez told the Tribune. “They could not open the windows ... because of the smell.” more ›

Alderman Ray Suarez (31st) proposed an ordinance Wednesday that would limit dog ownership in the City of Chicago to five pups. He told the Tribune that 27 alderman supported his effort. "There are a lot of people who can't enjoy their backyards because of irresponsible dog owners," he said. "It smells really bad, especially in the summer," he added. Recently, a woman in Wheeling was given permission by a judge to circumvent that town's four-dog limit to keep her fifth. more ›