State's plans to honor Illinois-born beagle put on hold due to weather

CHICAGO -- Illinois' plans to honor Uno the Beagle have been put on hold due to bad weather.

The Belleville-born beagle won Best in Show at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show last month. Lt. Gov. Pat Quinn had planned to declare it Uno the Beagle Day throughout the state today during an afternoon appearance in Chicago with the top dog.

But bad weather forced the cancellation of Uno's flight into Chicago, so Quinn's office says Uno Day has been postponed.

Uno charmed the Westminster crowd into a five-minute ovation. He beat out two poodles, a terrier, a Weimaraner, an Australian shepherd and an Akita to be named best in show.

His breeder, Kathy Weichert, owns K-Run Kennels in Belleville and is one of Uno's four co-owners.