12/06/2024
WEST MIFFLIN PET OWNERS - PROPOSED ORDINANCE HEARING JUNE 18TH 6:30PM - PET LIMIT WITH A 60-DAY PICK WHICH ONES YOU LIKE AND GET RID OF THE OTHERS GRANDFATHER CLAUSE
There will be a public hearing on same on June 18th at 6:30PM at the Burrough Bldg on Lebanon Road.
The proposed ordinance limits each household to a total of FIVE pets of any combination with a specific provision that NO MORE THAN THREE (3) of those pets can be dogs. Bear in mind this applies to large dogs and little dogs, and does not distinguish between responsible pet owners and problem pet owners....it is a flat number prohibition. Pets would be considered any combinations of "common domestic household animals including but not limited to: cats, dogs, fish, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, etc." with a maximum of three of those being dogs.
Additionally, in most cases such as this there is a "grandfather" clause that exempts people who are over the limit at the time the ordinance is passed and generally as your pets pass you are not allowed to replace them until you are within compliance of the law. That is NOT the case with this ordinance....if you are over the limit , West Mifflin wants to graciously give you SIXTY (60) days to then decide which of your animals you want to rehome, take to a shelter or kill so that you are in compliance. Bear in mind that the numbers are combinations of animals so if you have 2 dogs and 4 cats, West Mifflin wants you to get rid of one of them after 60-days!!
Shelters are FULL and most shelters have waiting lists that are going to be longer than 60-days, especially for cats, so you will not be able to get your loving pet into a no-kill shelter and if there is any issue with your pet (age, being scared, etc. etc.) you can't guarantee it won't be euthanized at an open door shelter as surrendered animals can be euthanized at any time after surrender. Rehoming can be dangerous to your pet unless you are extremely aggressive in your background and reference checks which then makes it very difficult to rehome and still does not guarantee that your pet went to a good home. Additionally, surrendering to a shelter and/or rehome is extremely stressful to your pet. Finally, when people think they have to decrease their numbers and cannot find a new home or a shelter/rescue to help, how many cats do you think will then be dumped outside, and how many of them will be unaltered and start breeding in your neighborhood?
They will tell you they need this ordinance to address problem owners (irresponsible ones) but there are already nuisance and cruelty laws that provide that ability. They will tell you they won't be looking for offenders and won't be enforcing it for most people, BUT, do you want to trust that? You may ask, how will they know? Well, how well do you get along with your neighbors or others around you? You know there will be that "Karen" or "Ken" that feels he/she will need to be the pet limit police and will report people even if they are responsible pet owners. Are you willing to trust your pets lives on same?
Shelters and rescues should also be concerned about this proposed ordinance as you are already overburdened, underfunded and understaffe3d.
If you are a pet owners you need to attend the hearing on June 18th at 6:30PM at the Burrough Bldg on Lebanon Road and speak out against this ordinance!! Relevant provisions are included..
It should also be noted that on April 16th the Burrough had this on the agenda but quietly voted not to enact the originally proposed ordinance to limit each household to five animals because the wording was that people could have up to five dogs. Three council members wanted the ordinance to only permit three dogs so the ordinance was re-written and the new proposed ordinance will be addressed on Tuesday, June 18th at 6:30PM.
I will be put of town but please go if you can!
