Cook County Commissioner Questioning Suburban Shelters' Handling Of Stray Dogs
CHICAGO (CBS) -- A Cook County commissioner is raising questions about the county's system of handling stray dogs - a system he believes is resulting in "people's pets being killed."
County Commissioner John Fritchey of Chicago's North Side is questioning some of the suburban shelters the county uses to house strays.
"People lose their animals in the county. People don't know how to find their animals in the county. A lot of these animals wind up being placed into a shelter that we contract with. And basically, people's pets are being killed - because we don't have the appropriate safety nets."
Fritchey spoke at a budget hearing for Cook County Animal and Rabies Control - and he addressed his comments to Administrator Dr. Donna Alexander. Fritchey wants the county to sign contracts with shelters that have a kill rate below a certain percentage.
Dr. Alexander says, "That's a good way of putting it."
Fritchey also asked about the $6.8 million surplus in the department's budget, saying, "If I look at the surplus as a rainy day fund, we've got enough for a few hurricanes."