Since March, the Springfield Greene County Health Department has been working on a new plan that would require every dog in city limits to be registered, wear tags, be microchipped and vaccinated for rabies. Thursday afternoon, it was decided the proposal would go before the city council.

"It gives them those requirements to know what those standards are to keep your pet healthy," Erica Little, Administrator of Environmental Health, said.

Little says owners would pay for a license for every one or three years. The cost could range from $10 to $75 but nothing has been finalized. However, the program is incentive based. If your dogs are spayed/ neutered the cost would be cheaper.

"Those animals that are not spayed and neutered are more likely to bite and be involved in a bite incident," Little said.

Veterinarian Bridget Zacharias says the pet population in town continues to grow. She believes this program would encourage dog owners to get their dogs spayed/neutered.

"We really need to reduce the dog and cat population out there," Zacharias said. "There are way too many dogs in the shelters and the humane society. They are well aware of that and already struggling with that."

Zacharias believes in the program but worries about the cost. Dog owners will be in charge of footing the bill. However, Little believes it will create more responsible pet owners throughout Springfield.

"Healthy pets yield healthier communities," Little said.

The proposal has been passed to go before the city council. But it could take a couple of months for it to appear on the agenda. In the meantime, Little hopes to talk with local veterinarians and pet stores about this program.