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My village passed a law in Nov 2008 stating people can only have 3 dogs. I moved in in 2 yr ago. Does this apply to me
I have 4 dogs (a lab, a terrier mix, a toy manchester and a chihuahua) and was unaware of the law until today when the dog catcher came to tell us. Is there anything I can do? I already lived here prior to the law being passed. I don't want to move but I will not give up one of my dogs. We keep them indoors except when we are home and can be out with them. We have never had a complaint over them barking or escaping. They are loved members of our family. I don't know what to do. Please help.
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Answers
Did you live there with 4 dogs before the law went into affect? I can't imagine the law applying to you if that is the case.
You could go to your city council and argue your case. Have letters from neighbors stating that your dogs are no nuisance to the neighborhood and have proof that you had all 4 dogs in your home before the law went into effect. I can't imagine, in this day and age, that you would be forced to forfeit a dog.
Do some homework in regards to the law, find out the tiniest of details of how it was written and maybe in the fine print there is an exception for those who had more than 3 dogs when the law was passed. Get your hands on the ordinance and read it thoroughly. If all else fails, try and get a neighbor to claim that one of the dogs is theirs, but you dog sit for them. Maybe reregister the dog in their name if the neighbor is willing. If animal control comes by again, show them that you gave your neighbor a dog. wink wink. Just thinking outside the box.
Good luck.
Guest 404377
answered on 8/22/09.
Helpful? /2
Where do you live? Wow that is so sad i couldnt imagine giving up my dog!
Hope you find what you need sorry about the situation in your in
I assume all four of the dogs also lived there before the law passed...? In many municipalities dogs are "grandfathered" if they were in place before the ordinance was passed, but you MUST check with the city to be sure.
If existing dogs ARE grandfathered, get a copy of the ordinance and gather as much documentation as you can that proves that you lived there with four dogs before the ordinance was passed - dated vet and adoption records, mortgage or lease agreements, etc.
The dog catcher may have just come by to make you aware of the ordinance so that you don't get any more dogs, but if he returns, you'll have the appropriate documentation to prove exemption. Note that an exemption would probably apply only to those particular four dogs - you can't get any more dogs (or replace one who dies) without risking violation of the ordinance.
Unfortunately, if the ordinance doesn't grandfather existing dogs, you may have to move or re-home one dog - I truly hope that isn't the case.
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