She's known for her steadfast support for sterilizing pit bulls, but now Ald. Virginia Rugai is taking her campaign against dangerous pets even further.

The Chicago Sun-Times reported that Rugai and Ald. Ed Burke (14th) have teamed up to introduce an ordinance that would require all dog and cat owners living in Chicago to spay or neuter their pets within six months of taking responsibility for the animal.

The proposed penalties are stiff: Failure to comply with the initial $100 fine would result in a jump to $500 and possible impoundment by the city.

Although the spay/neuter call is designed to reduce homelessness, some residents wonder if the aldermen also should focus on making the city's Animal Care and Control department more vigilant in rounding up homeless animals - especially cats, whose population in Mount Greenwood alone in just the last few years has exploded.