ohmidog!

Before its looming crackdown on unlicensed dogs, the city of Chicago will try a gentler form of persuasion — a contest to name the city’s first ever “Dog of Distinction.”

All dogs whose owners apply for a city license in the next three months will be eligible.

In April, five newly-licensed dogs will be randomly chosen to compete for the title, which will go to the dog who captures the most online votes for best exemplifying “Chicago’s spirit.”

Finalists will get dog-friendly cruise tickets, a tea party in their honor at the Palmer House Hilton, and gift bags filled with dog treats and accessories.

The winner gets a custom-designed, ruby and topaz dog tag in the shape of the Chicago flag;  a weekend stay at the Palmer House Hilton, a photo shoot at Urban Out Sitters and a story in Chicagoland Tails magazine.

The city’s thinking, as explained in the Sun-Times, is that dangling a carrot in front of the 470,000 Chicago owners of unlicensed dogs will both help educate those who aren’t aware of the long-ignored requirement and inspire more people to license their dogs.

Those who spurn the carrot will face the stick — namely, fines of up to $200 for failure to license your dog.

“I don’t think it’s fair to ticket people who are not even aware of the legal obligation,” City Clerk Susana Mendoza said. “First, we’ll educate, then follow up with a strong enforcement campaign.”

There are believed to be about 500,000 dogs in Chicago, but even after a surge in registrations sparked by talk of the impending crackdown, fewer than 30,000 are licensed, the Sun-Times reported.

Under the crackdown, the city won’t be setting up roadblocks, raiding dog parks or stopping dog owners at random, Mendoza said. But they will be acting on any complaints.

“We’re not gonna go out there in mass droves and try to stop people legally walking their pet, but there are plenty of other opportunties,” she said. “When you see dogs running on beaches, it’s fair to go up to those individuals and ask if their dogs are licensed.”

The license fee for spayed or neutered dogs is $5; it’s $50 for dogs who aren’t fixed. To purchase a dog license, owners must show proof that their dogs have been vaccinated for rabies. The dog license is a sticker affixed to the rabies tag.

Licenses can be purchased online at www.chicityclerk.com. Applications will also be mailed to dog owners who call (312) 744-DOGS (3647).

(Photo: from Golden Creek Kennels)