Town Of Leesburg Says ‘No’ To Pet Ordinance
June 9, 2020 at 2:09 a.m.
By Deb McAuliffe Sprong-
The town of Leesburg is not going to answer that question, at least for now.
Board President Doug Jones said at Monday’s town board meeting that there is a potential issue with multiple dogs at one residence – 20, to be exact. He asked if the town should consider an ordinance limiting the number of pets in a household.
“No,” said board member Tom Moore. “I’m not about to get in the business of telling people what they can do inside of their house.”
Street Superintendent Craig Charlton said the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals probably has some guidelines, then added, “At some point you could have a health issue.”
Another problem with a pet ordinance is logistical, according to Moore. “How do you verify the number?” he asked. “How do you know how many’s there?”
An ordinance regulating the number of pets is not necessary, the board decided, because safeguards are already in place. If there are problems inside the house, such as sanitation, “the board of health can do something about it,” Moore said. If the problems are outside, such as dogs barking or running loose, the town already has an ordinance in place for that, he said.
The town will depend on the ASPCA and the Kosciusko County Health Department should any issues arise, Jones said, after a brief discussion of the 56 dogs taken from a home in Silver Lake in April.
“If it becomes a problem – if someone has 92 cats in their house – I guess we’ll deal with it then,” Moore said.
The board also discussed possible restrictions on long-term living in campers within town limits. Moore said the town ordinance sets guidelines for house trailers or mobile homes, but no mention is made of RVs. The big question, Jones said, is “How are you disposing of your waste?”
“If the camper is being used as a residence, not using our sewer system, I don’t think that should be allowed,” said board member Christina Archer.
The board discussed situations where people might come visit family members and stay in their camper while in town. “How do you determine what’s acceptable?” asked Jones. “Can the kids come for two weeks? Two days?”
Moore said any ordinance would have to denote a specific amount of time.
There’s a difference between having a camper in your backyard and someone “dwelling” in their backyard, Jones said. “As soon as somebody moves into it and sleeps in it, you start the clock.”
Town attorney Vern Landis will check the ordinances used by other towns in this situation.
In other business:
• The board will not act on an insurance claim made against the town by a resident on Hickory Street. There is no police report recording the incident, and “I’m not about to subject the taxpayers of Leesburg to pay for someone else’s car damage,” Moore said.
• The townwide garage sale is Friday and Saturday.
• Town cleanup has been set for June 26-27. Dumpsters for residents to use will be available at the town’s Prairie Street locations. Signs will be posted saying which items will not be accepted. These include tires, TVs and appliances.
The board set its 2021 budget workshop for 6 p.m. Monday. The next town board meeting is planned for 6:30 p.m. July 13 in the town hall.
The town of Leesburg is not going to answer that question, at least for now.
Board President Doug Jones said at Monday’s town board meeting that there is a potential issue with multiple dogs at one residence – 20, to be exact. He asked if the town should consider an ordinance limiting the number of pets in a household.
“No,” said board member Tom Moore. “I’m not about to get in the business of telling people what they can do inside of their house.”
Street Superintendent Craig Charlton said the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals probably has some guidelines, then added, “At some point you could have a health issue.”
Another problem with a pet ordinance is logistical, according to Moore. “How do you verify the number?” he asked. “How do you know how many’s there?”
An ordinance regulating the number of pets is not necessary, the board decided, because safeguards are already in place. If there are problems inside the house, such as sanitation, “the board of health can do something about it,” Moore said. If the problems are outside, such as dogs barking or running loose, the town already has an ordinance in place for that, he said.
The town will depend on the ASPCA and the Kosciusko County Health Department should any issues arise, Jones said, after a brief discussion of the 56 dogs taken from a home in Silver Lake in April.
“If it becomes a problem – if someone has 92 cats in their house – I guess we’ll deal with it then,” Moore said.
The board also discussed possible restrictions on long-term living in campers within town limits. Moore said the town ordinance sets guidelines for house trailers or mobile homes, but no mention is made of RVs. The big question, Jones said, is “How are you disposing of your waste?”
“If the camper is being used as a residence, not using our sewer system, I don’t think that should be allowed,” said board member Christina Archer.
The board discussed situations where people might come visit family members and stay in their camper while in town. “How do you determine what’s acceptable?” asked Jones. “Can the kids come for two weeks? Two days?”
Moore said any ordinance would have to denote a specific amount of time.
There’s a difference between having a camper in your backyard and someone “dwelling” in their backyard, Jones said. “As soon as somebody moves into it and sleeps in it, you start the clock.”
Town attorney Vern Landis will check the ordinances used by other towns in this situation.
In other business:
• The board will not act on an insurance claim made against the town by a resident on Hickory Street. There is no police report recording the incident, and “I’m not about to subject the taxpayers of Leesburg to pay for someone else’s car damage,” Moore said.
• The townwide garage sale is Friday and Saturday.
• Town cleanup has been set for June 26-27. Dumpsters for residents to use will be available at the town’s Prairie Street locations. Signs will be posted saying which items will not be accepted. These include tires, TVs and appliances.
The board set its 2021 budget workshop for 6 p.m. Monday. The next town board meeting is planned for 6:30 p.m. July 13 in the town hall.
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