Pet limit laws strike again.

 In Toronto there is a limit of 3 dogs/household. Personally I think a limit is a good thing as there are always people who will be unreasonable. The number may be debatable but there has to be a limit. JMHO

Three in my suburban town is actually considered a "pack" (and a no-no).  But they let me license Kee this year and I'm just ignoring the city ordinance.  But that IS why I have to be SO careful to keep them quiet.

Frankly I think 2 is ridiculous.  Their definition of 'pack' is ludicrous and baseless.  All dogs are pack animals and an addition of a third isn't going to make them roam the street looking for trouble and 'food'.  It's improper handling that does that.

cakana

Three's the limit here also and I think that's reasonable. I think there should be exceptions made in certain cases, and this might be one of them since it's temporary.

I agree 100%.  These things should be taken on a case by case basis. It would be different if he was turning into "the crazy dog guy" with 50 or 60 dogs.  It is temporary and as long as he can keep the dogs from being a nuisance to the neighbors they should make an exception.

Joyce

On Thursday he is having a meeting with the council in relation to obtaining a "zoning variance", basically he is seeking a permit to keep more dogs. Other places have such permits but there are conditions, such as neighbours don't complain about excessive barking. By this recent news article via this link his neighbours did complain, and I'll copy bits below and note in that county he could be allowed to keep 8 dogs, and maybe animal control has already mentioned means to control the barking problem.
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=6085744
 
Earlier this year, after several neighbors complained about the barking dogs, county inspectors sent Carroll a letter saying he is violating a county ordinance that prohibits more than three dogs on residential property and he has to get rid of two of the dogs.
 
He admits they can be a little noisy sometimes.
 
He tried only letting two or three of the dogs out in the yard at the time and one of his neighbors says the barking isn't as bad now as it has been.
 
Ironically this is a zoning issue; the county's animal control law allows residents up to eight dogs.

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denise m

In Toronto there is a limit of 3 dogs/household. Personally I think a limit is a good thing as there are always people who will be unreasonable. The number may be debatable but there has to be a limit. JMHO

     I dopn't buy that at all. You don't punish the ones who compulsively hoard dogs or who have multiple dogs that are a neighborhood problem by restricting the amount of dogs all owners can have. Same as I believe even though I hate pit bulls with a passion, I would not want to see them (or any other breed) banned. You don't punish the good for the mistakes of the bad. Then when most "aggressive" purebreds are banned, they'll just continue on with generic large breed dogs. Ridiculous. If an owner has several dogs and they are quiet, well cared for and properly contained, what is the issue?
    

Quincy

On Thursday he is having a meeting with the council in relation to obtaining a "zoning variance", basically he is seeking a permit to keep more dogs. Other places have such permits but there are conditions, such as neighbours don't complain about excessive barking. By this recent news article via this link his neighbours did complain, and I'll copy bits below and note in that county he could be allowed to keep 8 dogs, and maybe animal control has already mentioned means to control the barking problem.
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/story?section=news/local&id=6085744
 
Earlier this year, after several neighbors complained about the barking dogs, county inspectors sent Carroll a letter saying he is violating a county ordinance that prohibits more than three dogs on residential property and he has to get rid of two of the dogs.
 
He admits they can be a little noisy sometimes.
 
He tried only letting two or three of the dogs out in the yard at the time and one of his neighbors says the barking isn't as bad now as it has been.
 
Ironically this is a zoning issue; the county's animal control law allows residents up to eight dogs.

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I am a law and order type, however~ several points:

1) as pointed out before, this is an exceptional situation. Here is a soldier who could have taken the easy way out but didn't. He both loves and is dedicated to his dogs and is fighting for the the very freedoms we cherish (the reason this situation even came about).

2) the father has reduced the complaints by letting out only a few at a time. This should be considered.

Common sense should rule. Zoning laws can easily be relaxed.

 Most zoning cases will grant a variance for a limited amount of time if the request is filed and the circumstances are deemed to be reasonable.  But, the request has to be made and neighbors have to be given an opportunity to weigh in.  Otherwise, the zoning ordinances are completely ignored and while you may feel that 5 or 10 dogs if properly managed isn't a big deal, if it was 5 or 10 sheep or cows or horses, would you feel the same?  How about if you were trying to sell your house and a potential buyer stepped out on your back deck and could see 5 horses grazing in your neighbor's back yard?  No noise, no smell (poops managed immediately), just horses grazing in a residential area, not bothering anyone. 

That said, zoning ordinances don't always make sense.  My county limits dogs but not cats.  If I had 50 cats, roaming my home and neighborhood, I'd be perfectly legal.  But if I add one more dog, even a temporary foster, without applying for and receiving a kennel license, I'd be in violation.  Stupid. 

I'll be surprised if the county doesn't grant him a temporary variance allowance. 

denise m

 In Toronto there is a limit of 3 dogs/household. Personally I think a limit is a good thing as there are always people who will be unreasonable. The number may be debatable but there has to be a limit. JMHO

 Limiting ownership to three dogs is unreasonable IMO. I know LOTS of people with more than three dogs that are excellent owners and have seen plenty with just one dog who are not.

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Well, in my area, I believe I can have 5 or more horses (neighbor has 7 goats), but am limited to only 4 dogs.    (I'm on acrage and thankfully nobody is in anyone else's business much.) 

AgileGSD

Limiting ownership to three dogs is unreasonable IMO

Are they limiting pets in general? Or just dogs?

I have 4 cats, and a dog. Plus a foster cat that I am planning on keeping. However - when walking into my house - you would have no clue I even have animals, unless one makes an appearence. All my pets are rescues, and registered with my county.

I also know quite a few people with 5 or 6 dogs, all well cared for, happy pups. I wish it could depend on the owner, but if you start making exceptions for one- you have to make it for all...... unfortunately.

I hope he gets everything worked out - and doesn't loose the dogs. That's not fair.

yeah, i'm not a big fan of pet limits either. here i'm only legally allowed to own one dog. which again is the reason i havent registered either of them. the aparent reason for this law: rabies. which makes no sense, cause in order to register your dog you have to provide proof of vaccination.

ergh.. lots of stupid laws...

erica1989

I also know quite a few people with 5 or 6 dogs, all well cared for, happy pups. I wish it could depend on the owner, but if you start making exceptions for one- you have to make it for all...... unfortunately.

 Which is why such laws are unreasonable. Without limit laws, owners are judged on a case by case basis with limit laws good owners can end up losing their dogs.