`Pet issue hounds Humane Society`

Callers’ ire misdirected, leaders say
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ORDINANCE FOES SHOULD ADDRESS LOCAL COUNCILS
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By Kim Curry
Herald Staff Writer
Since several councils have discussed and/or passed ordi-nance changes to limit the number of fertile/intact ani-mals per household, the Hu-mane Society of Mercer County has been inadvertently dogged by upset residents.

“Since this has been in the paper they think we’re the (Shenango Valley Animal) shelter and have been calling and yelling at us,’’ said society President Tammy Treimer, Sharon, who had counted 100 calls as of last week.

“We want people to know we didn’t come up with that ordinance and that we don’t necessarily back it.”

Responsible owners like Bill and Darlene Christy of Sharon have expressed their ire. They have seven licensed and vet-checked dogs includ-ing a spayed female and six unneutered males. Two are mutts but they paid between $250 and $550 for each of the others, she said. “This is actually going to chase homeowners out,’’ Mrs. Christy said. “These pit bulls in Farrell are what did it. If they were raised the right way they wouldn’t be the way they are.’’

The current changes origi-nated last month with the Mercer County Regional Council of Governments, which runs the animal shelter. It then went to members — the cities of Sharon, Hermit-age and Farrell and the bor-oughs of Sharpsville, Wheat-land and West Middlesex — for tailoring and approval.

The ordinance amendment proposal includes a number of changes but the one getting the attention revolves around pet limits.

And tailoring is an impor-tant point, said COG Executive Director James DeCapua. “They can limit it to four or 44,’’ he said.

The changes originated about two years ago when representatives from the hu-mane society and another group called Animal Appeal requested mandatory spay-ing/neutering to limit the pet population explosion, he said.

“I’m not looking for contro-versy,’’ DeCapua said. “This was a compromise to limit the number of pets in a residential setting.’’

Besides limiting numbers of household pets, the COG amendments to the Shenango Valley Animal Control Ordi-nance (formerly the Shenango Valley Dog Ordinance) also repeal the dog census; man-date spaying/neutering of animals adopted from the COG-run Shenango Valley Animal Shelter; and grant wardens the ability to obtain search warrants for dog inves-tigations.

But it also includes a num-ber of exceptions — for authorized breeders, trainers and kennels; for pets that are spayed or neutered; and for litters younger than three months old. Sharpsville, West Middlesex and Wheatland councils ap-proved the changes this month.

Farrell council, citing con-cerns with dogs running wild and with owners breeding dogs to fight, gave preliminary approval to limit households to four animals after backing down from a stricter proposal to limit household pets to two dogs, two cats or one of each.

Sharon council tabled a proposed limit of two dogs, two cats or one of each this month after a breeder pro-tested the ordinance changes, perhaps not knowing about the exceptions. Hermitage commissioners have scheduled a public hear-ing on the issue for 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the city build-ing. It could be passed at next month’s meeting.

Mrs. Treimer said she wasn’t aware of the ordinance changes until “things started hitting the newspaper.’’

She fears that unspayed or unneutered dogs kept by society members in towns where the ordinance has passed will have to be destroyed if they aren’t adopted.

“I don’t feel the number of dogs a resident owns is the problem as long as they can provide the necessary vet care and proper food and shelter,’’ she said. “I have three dogs of my own but I always have humane society puppies here.’’

Mrs. Treimer said she sides with a mandatory spay/neuter law except for breeders who obtain licenses.

Another society mem-ber/Sharon resident who asked not to be identified said she owns seven dogs and three cats of her own, as well as five humane society puppies. “And we’re adopting the mother,’’ she said.

The three male dogs are not neutered through the females have been spayed and all of the cats fixed.

“If it meant keeping them I’d have them neutered,’’ she said. “But I don’t think they should be telling you how many you can have. It’s the people who have dog fights who aren’t licensing them.’’

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Updated May 22, 9999
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