Silver Creek board tables dog-ordinance changes after residents oppose revisions; two animal nuisance complaints recorded

Silver Creek Township supervisors on Feb. 5 delayed action on proposed changes to the township dog ordinance after several residents spoke in opposition and the chair said the board would await guidance from the township attorney.

Chair Mike Helman reopened the meeting at 7:25 p.m. and announced the dog-ordinance discussion was being tabled until the board receives further communication from the attorney. During the open forum, the minutes record seven residents speaking against any changes to the ordinance; Helman said the board would not respond during that meeting and would consider public comment at a future session.

Under New Business the board received two separate nuisance complaints concerning animals. For property ID 216100332201, Helman read county ordinances into the record and said the property was reported to have four dogs; he told the board that if the owner continues to keep four dogs they would need to apply for an interim use permit or a dog-kennel permit and that he would work with the property owner and county to ensure compliance. For property ID 216100332202 the complaint alleged too many horses per acre; Helman said he would contact the county to determine how many animals are allowed per acre and follow up.

The board did not take immediate enforcement action in the meeting; Helman described outreach to the county and the owner as the next step. The dog-ordinance item will remain on a future agenda after the township attorney provides guidance.