City to reconsider pet limit

City manager to work with residents on an amemdment to the ordinance.

Jon Hitch and Jessy York of Hamilton protest outside the city building Wednesday against an ordinance limiting households to no more than five dogs and cats. The two are part of a group circulating petitions and have more than 500 signatures toward the needed 1,700 to get on the ballot.

Staff photo by Samantha Grier Jon Hitch and Jessy York of Hamilton protest outside the city building Wednesday against an ordinance limiting households to no more than five dogs and cats. The two are part of a group circulating petitions and have more than 500 signatures toward the needed 1,700 to get on the ballot.

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By Hannah Porturalski, Staff Writer Updated 8:44 AM Thursday, October 14, 2010

HAMILTON — Following heated reaction from residents, the ordinance limiting households to five pets is back on the drawing board.

City Council decided during its executive session Wednesday that City Manager Joshua Smith will work with a group of residents to amend the ordinance.

Smith said the amended ordinance will include a way to allow for more than five pets, as long as requirements, such as spaying and neutering, are met. Council will consider the amendment at its Nov. 10 meeting.

This decision comes after eight residents addressed City Council on Wednesday, some offering viable solutions to the strict ordinance. About 40 petitions of referendum are being circulated by residents working to repeal the ordinance passed Sept. 22.

Sandy Cole of Eaton Avenue is over the limit but says her heart is too big not to take in strays. “I can’t look at a cat I cared for 10 years and say they don’t matter,” Cole said. “We haven’t been given any alternatives. If you can’t abolish it, then amend it for a grandfather clause.”

She also suggested having residents register their animals, and as the animals die, the person will come into compliance. Cole also mentioned setting up a way to allow people to foster and rehabilitate strays.

“City Council didn’t look at the big picture and is punishing people who do good because of one person,” Cole said, referencing the case of a Hamilton man who this summer turned over 76 dogs to the Animal Friends Humane Society, prompting the new law.

Jeff Bradshaw of Ross Avenue said the ordinance should be dealt with on an individual basis. “This is an over-reaching of government into an individual citizen’s ability to choose what they want as property,” he said. “We don’t want to be told what to do.”

A petition drive was scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Historic Butler County Courthouse square, 101 High St., but it was unclear late Wednesday whether it would still be held.

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