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Council weighs raising or removing household pet limit; parks rule may remain
Summary
The Rules & Law Committee presented options to raise, keep, or remove Springdale's household pet limit; council agreed to add the item to the next meeting for further consideration and possible referral to Planning Commission.
The Springdale City Council on Jan. 15 heard a report from the Rules & Law Committee on the city code limiting household pets and directed that the topic be placed on the next meeting's agenda for further review.
Why it matters: The committee's discussion could lead to changes in local code affecting the number of animals residents may keep at a single address and potential review by the Planning Commission and a public hearing if council approves ordinance drafting.
What the committee reported: Council member Jacobs, reporting for the Rules & Law Committee, said the committee reviewed options including keeping the current limit (two animals), increasing the limit to four or five, or removing a numerical limit altogether. Jacobs said his committee leans toward raising the limit to five rather than removing it.
Administration input and enforcement: Law Department staff (Mr. Braun) told council that Ohio uses the term “companion animals” in state statute; the committee noted companion animals are excluded from certain proposed changes. Jacobs reported administration had shared there were about 20 bite reports in the city over the last two years.
Parks and other limits: The committee discussed a separate provision that limits people walking in public parks to no more than two dogs. Members said that park-specific limit may be retained even if the household limit changes.
Council action and next steps: Council did not adopt an ordinance at the Jan. 15 meeting. Instead, members agreed to add the item to the next meeting under old business so council members can review the code themselves and prepare for formal consideration. Council members also noted that any change likely would be referred to the Planning Commission for review and a public hearing before final action.
