Chicago alderman Ed Burke postponed a vote on a proposed law that would require nearly all dogs and cats to be spayed or neutered.
The ordinance drew significant attention, with 87 people registered to speak on its behalf and 42 against it. Burke said that requiring sterilization could reduce dog attacks, which mostly involve intact males, as well as the number of strays and euthanized animals.
Gift wrap from Dogstuff
Among those supporting the ordinance was Dr. Allan Drusys, chief veterinarian for Riverside County in California. He testified that after Santa Cruz County passed a similar law in 1995, nearby cities did the same.
Dr. Drusys said the ordinance was an “overwhelming success,” reducing the number of strays by one-third and the number of animals euthanized each year by more than half.
Chicago Police Sergeant Mark George also supported the law. He said it would help police crack down on gangbangers who keep intact male animals as status symbols or for dog fights.
But some aldermen questioned how much good the ordinance would do, saying only responsible people would comply with it.
