Bob Barker to Come on Down (to City Hall)

By Kevin Robinson in News on Jul 29, 2008 2:46PM

Animal activist and retired game-show host Bob Barker will testify before the Chicago City Council this morning, supporting a proposed ordinance that would require pet owners to spay or neuter their pets once they reach six months in age. "One of our most tragic animal problems is overpopulation and this ordinance would help immeasurably to solve that problem" Barker said in a statement released through Alderman Ed Burke's 14th Ward office. Burke, along with 19th Ward Alderman Virginia Rugai, is sponsoring the ordinance to reduce the number of homeless dogs and cats in the city.

The ordinance states that “no person shall own harbor or keep within the city of Chicago a dog or cat over six months of ages which has not been sterilized,” and would impose fines of up to $100, increasing to $500 for failure to comply within 30 days. Law enforcement dogs, animals a vet deems not healthy enough to undergo surgery, and animals owned by licensed breeders will be exempt. Burke also hopes the ordinance will help protect residents from unprovoked animal attacks. According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, (PDF) dogs that are still "sexually intact" are 2.6 times more likely to be aggressive.