McALLEN — City leaders are considering an ordinance that would require virtually all McAllen dog and cat owners to spay or neuter the animals.

The move is being led by City Commissioner John Ingram, who said the city has to do something to combat the rising cost of managing stray animals for the city.

Last year, the city paid Palm Valley Animal Shelter more than $282,000 to take in and euthanize stray animals. That figure has climbed nearly 90 percent over the past five years.

Local governments in the Valley paid a combined $1.3 million to the shelter in 2008.  READ MORE