OUCH!

It may be a bad day to be a dog in Chicago. In an attempt to limit the homeless dog population and reduce the number of aggressive dog attacks, the city recently passed an increase in the fine for not having your dog spayed or neutered from $10 to $50. However, for those Chi-Town Hounds who have become particularly fond of their-ehhh manhood, there may be good news. Despite a 400% increase in the fine, is $40 really enough to change consumer behavior? Considering that 96% of Chicagoans aren’t even licensing their dog, I think not.

This worthless policy decision is strikingly similar to other proposed debacles here on the left coast which have no prayer of significantly altering consumer behavior. Just ask Sam Adams, who in his personal “keeping with the Jones’” battle with San Francisco is proposing a $0.05 tax on grocery bags.