Bob Barker pushes Chicago spay-neuter law
BY JENNIFER SLOSAR
July 30, 2008 | 8:44 AM
Not even the presence of former Price is Right host Bob Barker could induce a committee at City Hall yesterday to approve a law requiring most Chicago pet owners to spay or neuter their dogs and cats.
The legendary game show star traded gentle comedic barbs with aldermen and evoked applause from audience members in the packed chamber as he made a plea for the legislation.
"Overpopulation is one of the most tragic problems - animal problems - that we have in this country," said Barker.
For over a decade, Barker's DJ&T Foundation has subsidized pet sterilization through local organizations nationwide. But Barker said neither those efforts, nor an aggressive public education campaign could keep up with the expanding stray population.
"Apathy sets in and people just don't get up, get out, and get it done," said Barker. "The only answer is legislation."
After several hours of testimony by experts and animal advocates on both sides of the issue, however, a joint committee of the city's finance and consumer licensing committees closed without a vote.
The Aldermen Edmund Burke (D-14) and Virginia Rugai (D-19) introduced the measure in May to get vicious dogs off the street and providing legal ammunition against gangs that run dog fights.
The sponsors cited an incident in April, when a pack of pit bulls attacked a Southwest Side woman.
The ordinance would require pet owners to neuter or spay pets that are six months or older. Pet owners who want to breed their animals would have to apply for a breeder's license, which requires an annual $100 fee and a background check.
"I don't know of too many gang members that would be willing to subject themselves to this type of scrutiny by law enforcement authorities," said Burke.
Several types of pets would be exempted from the ordinance, including show-dogs, guard dogs, service dogs and any dog or cat who is certified by a veterinarian to have a "valid medical reason for not being sterilized."
First-time violators would be issued a notice and given 60 days to comply. Second-time violators would be fined $100, and further violations would incur a $500 fine and provide grounds for impoundment and sterilization of the violator's pet.
Last year, approximately 24,000 dogs and cats were taken in by the city and over 10,000 were euthanized, according to Sandra Alfred, acting executive director of Chicago Animal Care and Control.
The cost benefits to the city and the decrease in numbers of animals euthenized mean that "spraying and neutering are absolutely where our resources should be going," said Paula Fasseas, the founder of PAWS, Chicago, a "no-kill" shelter.
Fasseas cited studies showing that spaying and neutering is linked to decreased animal aggression.
But Shannon Greeley, president of the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association, said that the city was attempting to control "a medical decision that is ultimately best determined between the veterinarian and the individual pet owner."
The legislation will only penalize good pet owners and not reach the bad guys, said Steve Dullard, a spokesman for the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association.
"Responsible, properly educated people are already having their pets sterilized when medically prudent," said Dullard. "It will have no effect on gangbangers' compliance."
And several aldermen are skeptical that the city has the resources to enforce the measure.
"We can't even enforce the licensing of our dogs in the city," said Ald. Bob Fioretti (D-2).
Burke said that he will continue to push for passage of the ordinance with the mandatory spaying or neutering provision intact.
The legendary game show star traded gentle comedic barbs with aldermen and evoked applause from audience members in the packed chamber as he made a plea for the legislation.
"Overpopulation is one of the most tragic problems - animal problems - that we have in this country," said Barker.
For over a decade, Barker's DJ&T Foundation has subsidized pet sterilization through local organizations nationwide. But Barker said neither those efforts, nor an aggressive public education campaign could keep up with the expanding stray population.
"Apathy sets in and people just don't get up, get out, and get it done," said Barker. "The only answer is legislation."
After several hours of testimony by experts and animal advocates on both sides of the issue, however, a joint committee of the city's finance and consumer licensing committees closed without a vote.
The Aldermen Edmund Burke (D-14) and Virginia Rugai (D-19) introduced the measure in May to get vicious dogs off the street and providing legal ammunition against gangs that run dog fights.
The sponsors cited an incident in April, when a pack of pit bulls attacked a Southwest Side woman.
The ordinance would require pet owners to neuter or spay pets that are six months or older. Pet owners who want to breed their animals would have to apply for a breeder's license, which requires an annual $100 fee and a background check.
"I don't know of too many gang members that would be willing to subject themselves to this type of scrutiny by law enforcement authorities," said Burke.
Several types of pets would be exempted from the ordinance, including show-dogs, guard dogs, service dogs and any dog or cat who is certified by a veterinarian to have a "valid medical reason for not being sterilized."
First-time violators would be issued a notice and given 60 days to comply. Second-time violators would be fined $100, and further violations would incur a $500 fine and provide grounds for impoundment and sterilization of the violator's pet.
Last year, approximately 24,000 dogs and cats were taken in by the city and over 10,000 were euthanized, according to Sandra Alfred, acting executive director of Chicago Animal Care and Control.
The cost benefits to the city and the decrease in numbers of animals euthenized mean that "spraying and neutering are absolutely where our resources should be going," said Paula Fasseas, the founder of PAWS, Chicago, a "no-kill" shelter.
Fasseas cited studies showing that spaying and neutering is linked to decreased animal aggression.
But Shannon Greeley, president of the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association, said that the city was attempting to control "a medical decision that is ultimately best determined between the veterinarian and the individual pet owner."
The legislation will only penalize good pet owners and not reach the bad guys, said Steve Dullard, a spokesman for the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association.
"Responsible, properly educated people are already having their pets sterilized when medically prudent," said Dullard. "It will have no effect on gangbangers' compliance."
And several aldermen are skeptical that the city has the resources to enforce the measure.
"We can't even enforce the licensing of our dogs in the city," said Ald. Bob Fioretti (D-2).
Burke said that he will continue to push for passage of the ordinance with the mandatory spaying or neutering provision intact.
Tagged: City Hall, Ed Burke, Virginia Rugai
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