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Apr 29, 2008 6:41 pm US/Central
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City Considering Mandatory Pet Sterilization
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
Thousands of cats and dogs in Chicago may have to undergo surgery to keep their owners from facing stiff fines.
Pet owners may be barking mad over a proposed city ordinance requiring all cats and dogs in the city to be spayed or neutered, but, as CBS 2's Susan Carlson reports, there may be a hidden benefit to the rule – less crime.
Ald. Ed Burke plans to propose an ordinance making it mandatory for all pets to be sterilized, "because people are not living up to their responsibilities as pet owners," he said.
Exemptions would be made for breeders, who have to go through a criminal background check to get a license.
In that way, Burke's proposal targets what he considers to be a growing problem of dog fighting in gang-ridden neighborhoods.
"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," Burke said.
Dr. Sheldon Rubin at Blum Animal Hospital says there are health benefits to getting your pet spayed or neutered.
"If you do it early in their life, particularly before their first heat cycle, you reduce the risk of breast cancer by well over 90 percent, so there's a really good reason right there," Rubin said.
But pet owners CBS 2 talked to had mixed reactions.
"Making it mandatory makes me really uncomfortable," said dog owner Esther Durussel.
But dog owner Scott Koehler said, "I agree with it. For sure. Just to control the population."
Violators could face fines up to $500.
If Chicago enacts the ordinance, we won't be the first city requiring pet sterilization. Los Angeles recently adopted a similar law, which takes effect in October.
There are several Chicago vet clinics that offer free -- or cheap -- spaying and neutering, including
PAWS and the
Anti-Cruelty Society.
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