Chicago Welcomes Dogs To Cafes

The Chicago Sun-Times reports:

Chicago dog owners would be free to dine al fresco with Fido at their side under an ordinance proposed Monday that would make sidewalk cafes here look a lot like those in New York City.

License Committee Chairman Eugene Schulter (47th) proposed the change before chairing the first public hearing on a sweeping crackdown against the irresponsible ownership and care that creates a breeding ground for dangerous dogs.

Owners of Chicago's estimated 600,000 dogs would be required to microchip their pets, limit tethering, pay stiff fines for letting them roam free and choose between neutering and sharply higher license fees under the package of ordinances championed by Schulter. Grooming, boarding and doggie day-care facilities would be licensed and subject to strict operating standards.

This is a big issue in Chicago.For many dogs are their family.There are 600,000 dogs versus 425,000 kids in the Chicago Public School system.Few towns can say they have more dogs than kids in the public school system.But,then you big towns don't have a Wal-Mart or the right to bear arms.