Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel wants to crack down on pet owners who don’t register their dogs with the city.
Starting next year the city will begin enforcing a long-standing ordinance that fines pet owners up to $200 for not licensing their canine. Chicago Animal Care and Control says less than five percent of the city’s dogs are currently licensed.
Emanuel said not enforcing the ordinance is unfair to those who lawfully comply.
“If we have a policy in place, I want it enforced. People should reflect and the enforcement should reflect that you can’t have some people abiding by the law and others getting a break,” Emanuel said.
Licenses cost $5 for sterilized dogs and $50 for ones that are not.
Animal Control estimates there are more than half a million dogs in Chicago.
