Franklin Lakes February 15, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES I • Page 3 Dog lovers oppose proposed ordinance to limit pets by Frank J. McMahon More than 30 people attended last week’s work session of the Franklin Lakes Council to express their love for their dogs and voice their opposition to any ordinance that would limit the number of domestic animals in a household. In January, the council heard a recommendation from Franklin Lakes Board of Health President James Vieldhouse and Animal Control Officer Carol Tyler to consider adopting an ordinance that would limit the number of domestic animals that could be kept in any single-family residence. At that time, the council agreed to consider a draft of such an ordinance this month. That prompted some residents, and members of statewide dog and animal interest groups, to attend this month’s work session. Some of those who attended were dog breeders or members of clubs such as the American Kennel Club, the German Shepherd Dog Club of America, Saint Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center, National Animal Interest Alliance, and the Coalition for Living Safely with Dogs. Others were residents who voiced strong opposition to limiting the number of dogs they could have on their property. Last month, Tyler told the council there are a number of borough properties where numerous dogs and/or cats are housed, causing unsanitary conditions and resulting in neighbors’ complaints about excessive noise. She told the council at that time there is no way to control the number of animals on a property because the borough has no ordinance. Danielle Weitz, a borough resident who owns several German shepherds and breeds them to become show dogs, opposes an ordinance that would limit domestic animals. She claimed the board of health members were not aware of Vieldhouse’s recommendation in favor of the proposed ordinance. Other objectors to a dog limit law claimed that such a law would unfairly restrict responsible dog owners, and said there are better ways, such as more intensive licensing, to handle problems caused by irresponsible dog owners. The council was provided with several documents from the animal interest organizations in which members expressed their opposition to laws that limit the number of dogs a responsible owner may keep and unreasonable limits on pet ownership. The statements made by these organizations summarized the comments made by the attendees at the work session. “Numerical limits do not address underlying issues of irresponsible ownership and/or improper dog care,” stated Stormy Hope of the German Shepherd Dog Club of America. “There is a growing collection of evidence that increased stray and abandoned dogs are found when limits are introduced in communities.” Heather Canimisa, president/CEO of Saint Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in Madison, also stated her opposition in a letter to the council. “Frequently we see municipalities consider limiting the number of companion animals permitted in a home as a global knee-jerk reaction to a single problem case,” Canimisa said. “This arbitrary approach reduces licensing compliance and revenue from licensing. It also puts the municipality in the position of seizing animals and putting them into the impound system. It is not based in sound policy.” The American Kennel Club pointed out that the human/canine bond predates history and that “since the dawn of civilization people have enjoyed the companionship and assistance of dogs. “The American Kennel Club strongly endorses the right to own, keep, and breed dogs in a responsible, and humane manner. We believe that responsible dog ownership is compatible with most living arrangements and the AKC opposes unreasonable limitations on pet ownership.” Tyler explained to those at last week’s meeting that she is also an animal lover who would not be doing what she is doing if she did not love animals. She said she does not look for houses with multiple animals, but there have been repeated animal control violations that were generated by residents’ complaints. Because the borough’s ordinances did not cover those situations, the municipal court judge had to rely on other laws in adjudicating those cases, Tyler noted. She emphasized that she is in favor of a law that everyone can live with and which protects the rights of the property owners who have pets and those who do not have pets. Mayor Frank Bivona confirmed that the suggestion for an ordinance to limit the number of pets on residential property emanated from a few court cases that indicated that the borough’s existing ordinances concerning animal control needed to be clarified. Franklin Lakes Borough Administrator Gregory Hart also explained that, while the board of health has not provided a recommendation on the matter, the council did receive a letter from the president of the board of health in which he made a specific recommendation that the borough should limit pets because high numbers of household animals adversely affect the environment and the quality of life of the borough’s residents. Mayor Bivona told the people at the meeting that he does not believe in overregulation, and he is not a big supporter of the proposed ordinance. He also pointed (continued on page 17)