NILES Law to limit number of cats, dogs in homes

Residents who are over the limit would have one year to comply.
By SHERRI L. SHAULIS
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
NILES -- It's a zoo out there, but council wants to make sure the city doesn't turn into one.
Legislators gave first reading Wednesday to an ordinance that would limit to three the number of cats and dogs in any home, apartment or other residential unit in the city.
Councilman Stephen Papalas, who sponsored the legislation, said he brought it to the table after he and other council members received several complaints of dogs and cats running through neighborhoods, making excessive noise and destroying lawns and flower beds.
He said he found there was little council was able to do with current laws but found that other communities had successfully limited the number of pets in any household.
The ordinance is designed to hold accountable residents who have "multiple dogs or cats and failed to control the noise, odor or other nuisance-type activities of these animals."
As written, the law makes a minor exception in the case of female dogs or cats that give birth to a litter of kittens or pups. After the babies are weaned, the owner would have a four-month grace period to find the excess animals new homes.
What's omitted
The legislation specifically limits the number of dogs and cats but does not mention any other domestic or exotic animal that could be kept as a pet.
Papalas asked for a first reading only of the law to get input from residents and to look at establishing some sort of appeal process.
He noted that any residents who have more than three dogs or cats would have one year to comply with the new law, provided it's approved.
Council unanimously passed the first reading, though Thomas Scarnecchia expressed some concern.
"I think the intent is great, but I worry that it may lead to an ordinance where we tell people how many kids they are allowed to have," he said.
A second reading on the legislation is expected at the Sept. 3 meeting.
slshaulis@vindy.com