West Mifflin Borough is deliberating a new ordinance that would impose restrictions on the number of pets residents can keep, citing safety concerns following a previous dog attack incident. The proposed measure, put forth by borough officials, aims to address issues related to nuisance animals.
Brian Kamauf, West Mifflin’s borough manager, emphasized the intention behind the ordinance is to curb instances involving problematic pets. Under the proposed rules, residents would be allowed a maximum of three dogs and five cats or dogs combined, aged six months or older, within their residences or on their property.
However, the prospect of such limitations has sparked concerns among local pet owners like Kristina Miller, who expressed apprehension over potential implications for her diverse menagerie, which includes dogs, cats, hamsters, a leopard gecko, a tarantula, and chickens. Miller argued against penalizing responsible pet owners and highlighted the emotional distress that could result from being forced to choose which pets to keep.
In response to queries about the ordinance’s impact on well-behaved pets exceeding the proposed limits, Kamauf clarified that the borough’s objective is not to compel residents to relinquish their animals but to mitigate issues posed by problematic pets that may endanger community safety.
The proposed ordinance, which has undergone several revisions over months of deliberation by the borough council, is slated for discussion at an upcoming public meeting. Kamauf affirmed that public input would be considered before any decision is made.
Additionally, the borough is contemplating a separate proposal specifically targeting chicken ownership, restricting households to a maximum of four chickens without roosters, necessitating a permit for ownership. This aspect of the ordinance has drawn objections from longstanding chicken owners like Miller, who voiced concerns over the potential consequences for her flock.
Should these ordinances be enacted, non-compliance could result in fines up to $1,000 and potential imprisonment, as stipulated in the drafted regulations.
The borough council’s meeting, scheduled for Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., will serve as a forum to gauge community feedback and potentially finalize these measures aimed at enhancing public safety and regulating pet ownership within West Mifflin.
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