Mendoza stressed that city law requires registration and enforcement of that law will be stepped up. Violators can be fined up to$200. She is also promoting pet adoption, and some adoptable dogs were there.
Registered dogs are eligible for prizes, including a dog tag valued at $2,000. It has blue topaz and rubies in the design of Chicago's flag.
"Anyone who regsiters their dog with ChiCityClerk.com - or by coming in to any one of our satellite offices or City Hall - from now until the end of March will be automatically entered into the Dog of Distinction campaign," said Mendoza.
Clerk Mendoza said registration benefits include increased chances that a lost pet will be re-united with its owner and verification that the dog has had required rabies shots.
