PAWS Fur Ball

Are you looking for a great way to help the homeless pet population in Chicago while enjoying a lavish night out on the town? Consider attending PAWS Chicago's Fur Ball charity event.

Fur Ball takes place on Friday, November 13 at 6:00 pm at the Drake Hotel. This swanky fundraiser is one of the most anticipated events of the year. Although the price to attend is a bit high at $400 per person, it is a great cause and a fun event. For an additional $100 you can also bring your dog and he will be treated to a doggy buffet and and spa.

Besides a lavish buffet and dancing there will also be a silent auction. All proceeds will benefit PAWS Chicago.

For more information, visit PAWS Chicago's website here.


Potential Fine for Barking Dogs

Two Chicago aldermen are trying to pass a law that would fine the owners of dogs that bark non-stop. Below is the Chicago Tribune article on this potential new ordinance. Any thoughts on this?
Posted by Dan P. Blake at 5:15 p.m.

City pet owners would be fined up to $250 for having a dog that barks incessantly under a proposal introduced today by two influential Chicago aldermen.
 
Ald. Richard Mell (33rd) said he's proposing the ordinance because of complaints he's gotten from constituents whose neighbors will not shut their dogs up.
"People have called our office and said, " 'Would you mind talking to the neighbor about the dog barking?' " Mell said. "Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't."

Mell envisioned a situation where a police officer or city employee would respond to a call, and if a dog was in a yard continuously barking in the middle of the night, the pet's owner would be ticketed. 

"I would hope they wouldn't call if a dog barked just once," he said.

The proposed ordinance now reads that he barking would have to be the type that "unnecessarily disturbs the comfort, quiet, peace or repose" of a person any time, day or night. But Mell said the ordinance could be changed when it's considered at the Police and Fire Committee.

Specifically, the noises he's targeting include continued habitual barking, whining, crying, howling, whimpering, crowing or other loud noises that are louder than two people talking at a distance of 100 feet or more.

The fine would range from $50 to $250, Mell said.

Ald. Patrick O'Connor (40th), along with Mell, introduced the proposal at today's council meeting.