On Wednesday, November 6, the New Cumberland (PA) Borough Council is scheduled to consider a proposal that would limit the number of animals that may be kept or maintained on any property.
The proposal states that “due to the close proximity of the properties” in the Borough, no one may keep or maintain on a property more than four dogs or four cats over six months of age, or six animals total.
Talking Points:
While the intent seems to ensure that animal owners are not a nuisance and disturbance to neighbors, the American Kennel Club (AKC) does not believe that arbitrarily limiting the number of animals will address issues caused by irresponsible dog ownership – regardless of the number of dogs on a property.
Moreover, because this proposal does not appear to feature a grandfather clause, it is unclear how this proposal as currently worded would impact those who will have more than the permitted number of animals on their property.
For more talking points and information on this issue, visit the Limit Laws key issue page in the AKC Legislative Action Center.
What You Can Do:
Attend the Borough Council Meeting and respectfully share your comments and concerns. Members of the public will each be given three minutes to speak. The meeting details are as follows:
New Cumberland Borough Council Meeting
Wednesday, November 6, 2019
7:00-9:00 pm
1120 Market Street
New Cumberland, PA
If you intend to speak, please reach out to the Pennsylvania Federation of Dog Clubs (see below), who are working on coordinating testimony for this hearing.
Submit your comments and concerns to the council. Comments on the proposal may be submitted through the Borough’s website: http://newcumberlandborough.com/ord-704-domestic-exotic-animals/
For questions or more information, contact Darin Cox with the Pennsylvania Federation of Dog Clubs at President@PAFederationofDogClubs.org or AKC Government Relations at doglaw@akc.org.